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co·co·nut also co·coa·nut

(kōkə-nŭt′, -nət)

1. The fruit of the coconut palm, consisting of a fibrous husk surrounding a large seed.

2. The large, brown, hard-shelled seed of the coconut, containing white flesh surrounding a partially fluid-filled central cavity.

3. The edible white flesh of the coconut, often shredded and used in food and confections or for the extraction of coconut oil.

4. A coconut palm.

[Portuguese coco, pumpkin or other object carved with a face used to scare children, goblin, coconut (since the three indentations on the base of a coconut suggest the eyes and mouth of a goblin; probably from Late Latin coccum, shell; see COCOON) + NUT.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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