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Definition of "candlenut" [can•dle•nut]

  • A tropical southeast Asian tree (Aleurites moluccana) bearing nutlike seeds that are used to make candles and yield a drying oil used in paints, varnishes, lacquer, and soft soap. (noun)
  • The seed of this tree. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "candlenut" in a sentence
  • "It's a unique blend of influences from various regions, "the chef said as he excitedly revealed some ingredients he chose to carry home with him, such as candlenut, bamboo shoots and some sambals."
  • "She also introduces us to such exotics as the candlenut (an obscure cousin of the macadamia), galangal (a sweetly pungent relative of ginger) and pandan (an aromatic leaf that lends its distinctive touch to oriental rice)."
  • "This isn't a trophy, it's the parfait glass with the lit candlenut!"