pə̇ˈkän, -ˈkan, -ˈkaa(ə)n, -ˈkȧn, (ˈ)pē|k-; sometimes ˈpēkən noun
( -s )
Etymology: from earlier paccan, of Algonquian origin; akin to Ojibwa pagân any hard-shelled nut, Abnaki pagann, Cree pakan
1. : a hickory ( Carya illinoensis ) of the south central United States having roughish bark and hard but brittle wood, sometimes attaining great size, and producing an edible nut
2. : the wood of the pecan tree
3. : the smooth oblong thin-shell nut of the pecan tree