tuckahoe

plural tuckahoes · alternative tockwough

1. countableuncountableThe edible root of a plant of species Peltandra virginica, used by Native Americans of colonial-era Virginia.

   In June, July, and August, they feed upon the rootes of Tockwough berries, fish, and greene wheat.

   1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, Kupperman, published 1988, page 142

   1 more example

   The ponderous beast had spent the summer eating tuckahoe roots, the autumn eating acorns and nuts, and was now as heavy as two stout men.

   1996, Karen Mueller Coombs, Sarah on Her Own

   Synonyms: wild potato, arrow arum

2. USVirginiacountabledialectalobsoleteuncommonuncountableA person, especially if poor and malnourished (or if implied to be), living east of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

   […] at least until you either get poor Tuckahoe out of his present hobble, in furnishing so many strong suspicions against the sincerity of his former professions of patriotism, […]

   1828 February 8, "Tusgarora" (pen name), in a letter to the editor of The American Farmer, page 372

   1 more example

   The poor Tuckahoe, however, when he purchased land in Washington County, or the Shenandoah, or in Rowan, seems to have left behind him, not only his worn-out fields and his tumbledown house, but his wasteful methods.

   1963, Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker, The Old South: the founding of American civilization, page 213

3. countableuncountableThe sclerotium of wood-decay fungi of species Wolfiporia extensa, used by Native Americans and the Chinese as food and as a herbal medicine.
4. countableuncountableThe flowering plant Orontium aquaticum.

plural Tuckahoes

1. alternativeAlternative form of tuckahoe (“person living east of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains”).

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. An unincorporated community in Jasper County, Missouri.
   2. An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Upper Township, Cape May County, New Jersey.
   3. A village in the town of Eastchester, Westchester County, New York.
   4. A hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Southampton, Suffolk County, New York.
   5. A census-designated place in Henrico County, Virginia.
   6. An unincorporated community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.