elk nut

9.9

An oily small fruit from a rabbitwood bush that elk eat

noun

Specialized

: nuez de alce

The elk nut is known for its oily texture and is an important food source in arid regions.

Examples

While hiking, we found an elk nut on the ground beneath a rabbitwood bush.
Local wildlife, including elk, frequently feed on the elk nuts in late summer.
The elk nut is a favorite food for elk.
Many animals enjoy the taste of elk nuts.
Local wildlife, including elk, frequently feed on the elk nuts in late summer.
The elk nut is known for its oily texture and is an important food source for many animals.
While hiking, we found an elk nut on the ground beneath a rabbitwood bush.

Synonyms

mast

vselk nut

Specialized

4 8.4

Nuts and seeds from forest trees that animals eat

is one specific type of these tree fruits often eaten by wildlife

oil nut

vselk nut

Specialized

9.6

A soft oily fruit from the rabbitwood tree used for oil

is the same fruit but noted as wildlife food rather than oil source

buffalo nut

vselk nut

Specialized

9.9

An oily soft fruit from the rabbitwood tree

is the same fruit but mentioned for animal feeding rather than for its name

Surface Forms

elk nut singular

elk nuts plural

Morphology

elk + nut

This is a straightforward noun+noun compound where 'elk' modifies 'nut', indicating a nut associated with or eaten by elk. A B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer it refers to a nut linked to elk, so the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Elk nut comes from a simple image: people saw elk eating a small oily nut under rabbitwood bushes. That's why the name now means 'a nut or small fruit that elk eat'.