[nut] n [ME nute, note, fr. OE hnutu; akin to OHG nuz nut and perh. to L nux nut] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a hard-shelled dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and interior kernel (2): the kernel of a nut b: a dry indehiscent one-seeded fruit with a woody pericarp
2. a: a hard problem or undertaking b: core, heart
3: a perforated block usu. of metal that has an internal screw thread and is used on a bolt or screw for tightening or holding something
4: the ridge in a stringed instrument (as a violin) over which the strings pass on the upper end of the fingerboard
5: a small lump (as of butter)
6. a: a foolish, eccentric, or crazy person b: enthusiast "a movie ~"
7. pl: nonsense--often used interjectionally
8. slang: a person's head 9: testis--usu. considered vulgar 10: the amount of money that must be earned in order to break even 11: en 1 -- nut.like adj
[2]nut vi nut.ted ; nut.ting (1604): to gather or seek nuts