Definition

Noun: 1. A North American hickory tree: A type of hickory tree (Carya ovata) native to eastern North America, characterized by its distinctive, loose, and shaggy bark that peels away from the trunk in long strips. 2. A source of edible nuts: This tree produces a sweet, edible nut enclosed in a thick husk.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The shagbark hickory is easily identified in the winter forest by its peeling, grey bark.
  • We collected nuts from the shagbark hickory to make a pie.
  • The wood of the shagbark hickory is very hard and is prized for tool handles and smoking meat.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can be used attributively to describe related things.
  • shagbark hickory nuts
  • shagbark hickory wood

Variants and Related Words

• Shagbark (n.): A common shortened name for the shagbark hickory tree.
  • Several old shagbarks grew at the edge of the field.
• Shellbark Hickory (n.): A closely related hickory species () with similar shaggy bark, sometimes called the "kingnut."
• Pignut Hickory (n.): Another hickory species () with tighter bark and typically bitter nuts.

Synonyms

• Shellbark (in some regional contexts)
• Scalybark Hickory (a less common name referencing the bark)
• Carya ovata (the scientific botanical name)

Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Hickory (n.): The general category of trees to which the shagbark belongs.
• Pecan (n.): A different, commercially important species of hickory () known for its nuts.

Noun

1. North American hickory having loose grey shaggy bark and edible nuts