(declension-3, feminine) a fruit with a hard shell or rind
(declension-3, feminine, figuratively) a thing of no value
(declension-3, feminine, poetic) almond tree
Pronounced as (IPA)
[ˈnʊks]
Etymology
From Proto-Italic *knuks, from a root *knu- also found in Proto-Celtic *knūs (source of Irish cnó) and Proto-Germanic *hnuts (source of English nut). Based on the form of the nouns and the restriction of the root to Germanic, Celtic and Italic, it has been argued to be of non-Indo-European origin. De Vaan suggests that it is related to nūgae (“trifles”).