nutcracker

[nuht-krak-er]

noun

1. an instrument or device for cracking the shells of nuts. nut.

2. any of several corvine birds of the genus Nucifraga that feed on nuts, nut, as the common nutcracker, N. caryocatactes, of Europe and Clark's nutcracker, N. columbiana, of the western U.S.

nutcracker

/ ˈnʌtˌkrækə /

noun

1. (often plural) a device for cracking the shells of nuts

2. either of two birds, Nucifraga caryocatactes of the Old World or N. columbianus ( Clark's nutcracker ) of North America, having speckled plumage and feeding on nuts, seeds, etc: family Corvidae (crows)

Word History and Origins

Origin of nutcracker¹

First recorded in 1540–50; nut + cracker

Example Sentences

To mirror the real world, the Land of Sweets was not spared from an evil nutcracker tyrant.

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“A drum with sticks. A coach and four. An India rubber ball, and a nutcracker. Nothing remotely edible.”

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Even the alleys looked inviting, with adult-sized nutcrackers casually loitering there instead of the usual muggers.

Read more on Salon

From stolen nutcrackers to deflated snowmen, members of Congress have been known to get competitive.

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After Mr. Watters mocked the nutcracker on his show, Ms. Behar held up a nutcracker and said that “he can put his nut in there and squeeze it.”

Read more on Washington Times