I. ˈhik(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: short for pokahickory, from Virginia pawcohiccora food prepared from pounded nuts and water
1.
a. : an American tree of the genus Carya — see hickory nut; tree illustration
b. : the valuable hard wood of various hickories
2. : a switch or cane used typically for punishing a child
3. : a rapid gait : clip
4.
a. : any of various Australian trees (as the featherwood or various members of the genera Acacia and Eucalyptus )
b. : the wood of an Australian hickory
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or made of hickory
a hickory chair
2.
a. : marked by firmness or toughness
the old general, with all his hickory characteristics — Washington Irving
b. : marked by the absence of religious zeal or devotion : religiously indifferent or lukewarm
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to give a whipping to : cane , switch