acorn
UK[ˈeɪ.kɔːn]US[ˈeɪ.kɔːrn]
n
The nut of the oak tree, typically set in a woody cup.
Etymology
The word 'acorn' has a fascinating history of folk etymology. It originates from the Old English 'æcern', meaning "nut" or "mast of the forest," which itself is related to Gothic 'akran', meaning "fruit." The original sense was broader, referring to the fruit of any forest tree. The modern spelling was influenced by an incorrect association with 'corn' (grain) and 'oak', as the nut comes from the oak tree. This reanalysis cemented the spelling and narrowed the meaning specifically to the fruit of the oak.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. Its components are not productively segmentable in modern English.
Examples
The squirrel scurried up the tree, clutching a large acorn in its mouth.
An oak tree can grow from a single acorn planted in the soil.
In autumn, the ground beneath the oak was carpeted with fallen acorns.