ivory nut ExamplesWord Origin noun
- the seed of a low, South American palm, Phytelephas macrocarpa, yielding vegetable ivory.
- a similar seed from other palms.
Origin of ivory nut First recorded in 1915–20 Examples from the Web for ivory nut Historical Examples of ivory nut
The price of ivory-nut waste was high, because of the use of this material in the manufacture of lactic acid.
Benedict Crowell
British Dictionary definitions for ivory nut ivory nut noun
- the seed of the ivory palm, which contains an ivory-like substance used to make buttons, etc
- any similar seed from other palms
Former name (1871–1932): vegetable ivory