peanut
peanut Lexical Profile
peanut Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The oval, edible seed or subterranean pod of a leguminous plant (Arachis hypogaea), enclosed in a brittle, fibrous shell and widely roasted for snacks or ground into butter and oil.
"She checked the ingredient label carefully because her son has a severe allergy to even trace amounts of peanut."
A low-growing annual herb of the legume family (Arachis hypogaea), native to South America, whose yellow flowers bend downward after pollination to push their developing seed pods into the soil to ripen.
"Farmers in the southern region rotate cotton with the peanut to replenish nitrogen levels in the sandy soil."
A very small, paltry, or insignificant amount, especially of money (usually used in the plural).
"The talented graphic designer grew tired of working for peanuts and decided to launch her own freelance studio."
A small, young, or petite person, often used as an affectionate term of address for a child.
"The proud grandfather smiled as the little peanut took her very first steps across the living room rug."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although commonly referred to and used as a nut in culinary contexts, a peanut is botanically a legume (specifically a seed pod that matures underground) rather than a true tree nut.
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 19th century as an American English compound of 'pea' and 'nut', reflecting its botanical classification as a leguminous pea plant whose underground pods yield seeds with the flavor and texture of a nut.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.