wing nut

wing nut
a nut having two flat, widely projecting pieces such that it can be readily tightened with the thumb and forefinger. Also, wingnut. Also called butterfly nut, thumbnut. See illus. under nut.
[1895-1900]

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plant
      (genus Pterocarya), any of about six species of Asian trees of the walnut family (Juglandaceae). They often are 30 m (about 100 feet) tall and bear winged, edible, one-seeded nuts. One species, P. stenoptera, is planted as an ornamental. The wood of some species is used in cabinetmaking.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • wing nut — ☆ wing nut n. a nut with extensions like wings to provide a grip for turning with the fingers: see NUT …   English World dictionary

  • wing nut — n a ↑nut for fastening things, which has sides that stick out to make it easier to turn …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • wing nut — wing ,nut noun count a NUT that has a flat piece on each side to make it easier to hold …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • wing nut — wing′ nut n. bui a nut having two flat, widely projecting pieces such that it can be readily tightened with the thumb and forefinger • Etymology: 1895–1900 …   From formal English to slang

  • wing nut — ► NOUN ▪ a nut with a pair of projections for the fingers to turn it on a screw …   English terms dictionary

  • wing nut — noun 1. any tree of the genus Pterocarya; fruit is a small winged nutlet; Caucasus to southeastern Asia • Syn: ↑wing nut • Hypernyms: ↑nut tree • Hyponyms: ↑Caucasian walnut, ↑Pterocarya fraxinifolia …   Useful english dictionary

  • wing-nut — noun 1. any tree of the genus Pterocarya; fruit is a small winged nutlet; Caucasus to southeastern Asia • Syn: ↑wing nut • Hypernyms: ↑nut tree • Hyponyms: ↑Caucasian walnut, ↑Pterocarya fraxinifolia …   Useful english dictionary

  • wing nut — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms wing nut : singular wing nut plural wing nuts a nut that has a flat piece on each side to make it easier to hold …   English dictionary

  • wing nut — /ˈwɪŋ nʌt/ (say wing nut) noun a nut which incorporates two flat projecting wings enabling it to be turned by thumb and forefinger. Also, butterfly nut …  

  • wing nut — noun a) A nut with wing like projections to provide leverage in turning; a thumbnut. b) One who advocates extreme measures or changes; a radical …   Wiktionary

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