chestnut

n. [ For chesten-nut; OE. chestein, chesten, chastein, chestnut, fr. AS. cisten in cistenbeám chestnut tree, influenced by OF. chastaigne, F. châtaigne, both the AS. and the F. words coming from L. castanea a chestnut, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; a city of Pontus, where chestnut trees grew in abundance, and whence they were introduced into Europe. Cf. Castanets. ] 1. (Bot.) The edible nut of a forest tree (Castanea vesce) of Europe and America. Commonly two or more of the nuts grow in a prickly bur. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The tree itself, or its light, coarse-grained timber, used for ornamental work, furniture, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A bright brown color, like that of the nut. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The horse chestnut (often so used in England). [ 1913 Webster ]

5. One of the round, or oval, horny plates on the inner sides of the legs of the horse, and allied animals. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An old joke or story. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Chestnut tree, a tree that bears chestnuts. [ 1913 Webster ]