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Glite Dictionary
🥜 An oily seed 🌳 A tropical tree
candlenut

candlenut

9.6
A large tropical tree whose seeds are used for oil and are sometimes burned like candles
  • noun
  • /ˈkændlˌnʌt/
  • Australian
translation icon : árbol de la nuez de la candela
  • The candlenut tree is cultivated in many tropical regions for its useful oil.

Examples

  • The candlenut tree grows tall in tropical climates.

  • The candlenut tree is prized for its oil, which is used in making varnishes.

  • Locals would string candlenuts together and burn them like a primitive candle.

  • The varnish was made from the oil extracted from the candlenut.

  • I bought some candlenuts for my cooking class.

  • In traditional ceremonies, locals often use candlenuts as candles to light their way.

  • The oil from the candlenut is not only used in varnishes but also sometimes in cooking.

Synonyms

Aleurites moluccana
vscandlenut
  • Specialized
9.9

A large Southeast Asian tree whose nuts give oil for varnish and whose seeds are used to make candles

is the common or general name rather than the Latin species name
varnish tree
vscandlenut
  • Indian
9.9

A large Southeast Asian tree whose nuts give oil used to make varnish and whose kernels are used as candles

also notes kernels are strung and used as candles not only varnish oil

Surface Forms

candlenut singular
candlenuts plural

Morphology

candlenut = candle + nut (transparent) = candle + nut

The tree sense names the plant by the prominent product (the candlenut), a transparent extension of the compound's meaning.

Etymology

Candlenut for the tree comes from the same idea: it is the tree whose nuts were used 'like a candle' or pressed for oil in varnish. So the tree's name reminds you that its nuts can give light and a useful oil.