/ching"keuh pin/ , n.
1. a shrubby chestnut, Castanea pumila, of the beech family, native to the southeastern U.S., having toothed, oblong leaves and small edible nuts.
2. a Pacific coast evergreen tree, Castanopsis chrysophylla, of the beech family, having deeply furrowed bark, dark green lance-shaped leaves, and inedible nuts.
3. the nut of either of these trees.
Also, chincapin, chinkapin .
[ 1605-15, Amer.; chechinquamins ]