1. plural of chinquapin; small nuts from trees of the beech family, similar to chestnuts but smaller
Usage: Also spelled chincapin or chinkpin; Refers to both the nuts and the trees that produce them
2. the trees themselves (genus Castanea or Chrysolepis) that bear these small nuts, native to North America
Usage: Botanical term; often used in regional or ecological contexts

Examples

• The children gathered chinquapins from the forest floor in autumn.
• Chinquapins are smaller and sweeter than regular chestnuts.
• Native Americans traditionally harvested chinquapins for food.
• The dwarf chinquapins grow abundantly in the southeastern United States.
• Roasted chinquapins were a popular snack in colonial times.