conker

Definition

A horse chestnut, used in the game of conkers.

Etymology

From 19th-century dialect conker (“snail-shell”); the game of conkers was originally played using snail-shells; from conch + -er or a variant of conquer.

Example Sentences

• "His bald spot gleams like a burnished conker."
• "Unboxing conkers? What on earth are you talking about? Oh wow, you really are out of the loop, aren’t you? Gen Zers are taking to TikTok to film themselves unpeeling conkers from their spiky capsules."