What is a "wingnut"?

Answer 1

n. An outspoken, irrational person with deeply-held, nominally conservative, political views. A person who chooses on principle to be flagrantly ignorant. A "right-wing nut".

Answer 2

The wingnuts (Pterocarya) are a genus of plants in the walnut family Juglandaceae, native to Asia. They are deciduous trees, 10-40m tall, with pinnate leaves 20-45cm long, with 11-25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the walnuts (Juglans) but not the hickories (Carya) in the same family.

The flowers are monoecious, in catkins. The seed catkins when mature (about 6 months after pollination) are pendulous, 15-45 cm long, with 20-80 seeds strung along them. The seeds are a small nut 5-10 mm across, with two wings, one each side. In some of the species, the wings are short (5-10 mm) and broad (5-10 mm), in others longer (10-25 mm) and narrower (2-5 mm).

Answer 3

When it's spelled that way, it usually refers to an edible nut that comes from trees (genus Pterocarya) that are in the same family as the walnut tree. The wood from these trees in used extensively in cabinetmaking.
It can also have a political meaning - someone who is very left wing or right wing.

When it's "wing nut", it refers to a type of nut (hardware) that can be fastened and unfastened with one's fingers by virtue of the wing-like extensions on it. It is used primarily in applications where the nut and bolt need to be removed or unfastened frequently. It's also called a butterfly nut.
See below for more info on all three.

Answer 4

It is a nut that goes onto a bolt. The nut has two prongs sticking up that looks like it has wings. This is so you can tighten the nut with your fingers and not have to use pliers.

Answer 5

Technically, it's a little nut ( one that goes on a boldt ) with two wings that allow you to turn it with your fingers. Here's a picture of one : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(hardware)

As a slang term it can mean a crazy person, someone who works for the Air Force, or any other pilot.

Answer 6

a regular nut that goes on a bolt but has little wings built into it so that tightening by hand is easier--also derogatory for a dummy, no brain like a nut

Answer 7

It is a nut, to fasten on the other side of a bolt or screw, with two little tabs, looking like wings, so you can tighten or loosen it with your thumb and forefinger.

Answer 8

It's a Normal Metal Bolt with Metal Wings(They allow You to tighten it by hand!)

Answer 9

It is a nut with little tabs on the side so it is easy to put on and remove (requires no tools)

Answer 10

A tree of Genus Walnut---Asia---Deciduous---
10-40m tall.