peanut
pronunciation
How to pronounce peanut in British English:
UK [ˈpiːnʌt]
How to pronounce peanut in American English:
US [ˈpiːnʌt]
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- Noun:
- underground pod of the peanut vine
- widely cultivated American plant cultivated in tropical and warm regions; showy yellow flowers on stalks that bend over to the soil so that seed pods ripen underground
- a young child who is small for his age
- pod of the peanut vine containing usually 2 nuts or seeds; `groundnut' and `monkey nut' are British terms
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- Adjective:
- of little importance or influence or power; of minor status
Word Origin
- peanut (n.)
- 1807; see pea + nut. Earlier ground nut, ground pea (1769). The plant is native to South America; Portuguese traders took peanuts from Brazil and Peru to Africa by 1502 and it is known to have been cultivated in Chekiang Province in China by 1573, probably arriving with Portuguese sailors who made stops in Brazil en route to the Orient. Peanut butter attested by 1892; peanut brittle is from 1894. Peanut gallery "topmost rows of a theater" is from 1874, American English; peanuts "trivial sum" is from 1934.
Example
- 1. Peanut butter and jelly is an all-time american favorite .
- 2. Peanut allergies are usually more persistent .
- 3. Whole wheat toast with a little peanut butter .
- 4. What about the popular peanut butter sandwich ?
- 5. Is every curry laced with peanut oil ?