wing-nut
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of fastener: A threaded nut with two flat, wing-like projections that allow it to be tightened or loosened by hand using thumb and forefinger leverage, without requiring a tool. 2. A type of tree: Any tree belonging to the genus Pterocarya, characterized by producing small, winged nutlets as fruit. These trees are native to a region from the Caucasus to southeastern Asia.
Examples
- Fastener meaning:
- The old furniture was assembled using wing-nuts, so it was easy to take apart for moving.
- For a temporary connection, just secure the pipe with a wing-nut so you can adjust it later.
- Tree meaning:
- The wing-nut tree in the arboretum is known for its long, hanging clusters of seeds.
- Botanists study the wing-nut species native to the Caucasus region.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in mechanical and DIY contexts to describe a fastener designed for quick assembly and disassembly where high torque is not required.
- In botanical contexts, the name directly describes the tree's distinctive fruit—a nutlet with a wing-like structure for wind dispersal.
Variants and Related Words
- Wingnut (one word): A common alternative spelling, especially for the fastener.
- Butterfly nut: A synonym for the fastener, referencing the wing-like projections.
- Thumb nut: Another synonym emphasizing its hand-tightened function.
- Nutlet: The small, simple, dry fruit of the wing-nut tree.
Synonyms
- For the fastener: Butterfly nut, thumb nut, hand nut.
- For the tree: (the scientific genus name).
Related Phrases
- Wing screw: A screw with a wing-like head, designed for the same hand-tightened purpose as a wing-nut.
Noun
- a threaded nut with winglike projections for thumb and forefinger leverage in turning
- any tree of the genus Pterocarya; fruit is a small winged nutlet; Caucasus to southeastern Asia