Definition

1. Noun:
   • A nut with a hard hazel-brown shell that is used similarly to vegetable ivory: The coquilla nut is the seed of a Brazilian palm tree (Attalea funifera). Its extremely hard, durable, and fine-grained shell is carved, polished, and used as a substitute for ivory in making small ornamental objects, buttons, and jewelry.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The artisan carved intricate designs into the coquilla nut.
  • Buttons made from coquilla nut are prized for their durability and smooth texture.
  • The hard, hazel-brown shell of the coquilla nut resembles vegetable ivory.

Advanced Usage

• As a material: The term is often used to describe the raw material itself, not just the individual nut.
  • The jewelry box was inlaid with coquilla nut.

Variants and Related Words

• Vegetable ivory: A general term for hard, white or pale nuts (like tagua nut) used as an ivory substitute; coquilla nut is a specific, darker-colored type.
• Palm nut: A broad term for the fruit/nut of any palm tree.

Synonyms

• Palm nut (in a broad botanical sense, though not all palm nuts are used like ivory).

Related Phrases / Terms

• Coquilla palm: Refers to the tree () that produces the coquilla nut.

Noun

1. nut having a hard hazel-brown shell used like vegetable ivory