chesnut

plural chesnuts

1. countableobsoleteuncountableObsolete spelling of chestnut.

   Cheſnuts are good in Female VVeakneſſes, and afford a very good Nouriſhment.

   1732, John Arbuthnot, “Practical Rules of Diet in the Various Constitutions and Diseases of Human Bodies. Chapter I. Of the Different Qualities and Effects of Alimentary Substances. 4. Anti-acid, or Contrary to Acidity or Sourness.”, in An Essay Concerning the Nature of Aliments, and the Choice of Them, According to the Different Constitutions of Human Bodies. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC, page 258

   5 more examples

   The Cheſnut delighteth in ſhadowie places and mountaynes whoſe ſituation is towardes the North.

   1578, Rembert Dodoens, “Of the Chesnut Tree”, in Henry Lyte, transl., A Niewe Herball, or Historie of Plantes: […], London: […] [Henry [i.e., Hendrik van der] Loë for] Gerard Dewes, […], →OCLC, 6th part (Trees, Shrubbes, Bushes, and Other Plantes of Wooddy Substance), page 729

   I am not he Camilla that will leaue the Roſe, bicauſe I pricked my finger, or forſake the golde that lyeth in the hot fire, for that I burne my hande, or refuſe the ſweet Cheſnut, for that it is couered with ſharpe huſkes.

   1580, Iohn Lyly [i.e., John Lyly], “Philautus to the Faire, Camilla”, in Euphues and His England. […], London: […] [Thomas East] for Gabriell Cawood, […], →OCLC, folio 73, verso

   This I knovv by my ovvn Experience, having compared the Produce of tvvo Pieces of Land of equal Area and Quality, one ſovved vvith VVheat, and the other planted vvith Cheſnut Trees.

   1761, John James Rousseau [i.e., Jean-Jacques Rousseau], “Notes. [Discourse.] Pag[e] 17..”, in [anonymous], transl., A Discourse upon the Origin and Foundation of the Inequality among Mankind. […], London: […] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page 195

   Theſe cheſnuts ranged in correſponding lines, / And though himſelf ſo poliſh'd, ſtill reprieves / The obſolete prolixity of ſhade.

   1785, William Cowper, “Book I. The Sofa.”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […], →OCLC, page 15

   […] Aill, from mountains freed, / Down from the lakes did raving come; / Each wave was crested with tawny foam, / Like the mane of a chesnut steed.

   1805, Walter Scott, “Canto First”, in The Lay of the Last Minstrel: A Poem, London: […] [James Ballantyne] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, […], and A[rchibald] Constable and Co., […], →OCLC, stanza XXVIII, page 27

plural Chesnuts

1. A surname.