What does "tuckahoe" mean?
The edible root of a plant of species Peltandra virginica, used by Native Americans of colonial-era Virginia.
Tuckahoe
/ˈtʌkəhəʊ/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The edible root of a plant of species Peltandra virginica, used by Native Americans of colonial-era Virginia.
- Grammar: tuckahoe is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: edible tuber, fungus, green arrow arum, hoelen.
- Useful contrasts: inedible tuber, nonfood tuber, nonmedicinal fungus.
- Usage evidence: In June, July, and August, they feed upon the rootes of Tockwough berries, fish, and greene wheat.
How to use "tuckahoe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tuckahoe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tuckahoe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tuckahoe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tuckahoe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tuckahoe" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "edible tuber" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The edible root of a plant of species Peltandra virginica, used by Native Americans of colonial-era Virginia. countable, uncountable
"In June, July, and August, they feed upon the rootes of Tockwough berries, fish, and greene wheat."
- 2 Alternative form of tuckahoe (“person living east of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains”). alt-of, alternative
- 3 perennial herb of the eastern United States having arrowhead-shaped leaves and an elongate pointed spathe and green berries wordnet
- 4 A person, especially if poor and malnourished (or if implied to be), living east of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. US, Virginia, countable, dialectal, obsolete, uncommon, uncountable
"[…] at least until you either get poor Tuckahoe out of his present hobble, in furnishing so many strong suspicions against the sincerity of his former professions of patriotism, […]"
- 5 The sclerotium of wood-decay fungi of species Wolfiporia extensa, used by Native Americans and the Chinese as food and as a herbal medicine. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The flowering plant Orontium aquaticum. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
inedible tubernonfood tubernonmedicinal fungus
Example
"In June, July, and August, they feed upon the rootes of Tockwough berries, fish, and greene wheat."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tuckahoe"?
Common synonyms include: edible tuber, fungus, green arrow arum, hoelen, marsh tuber, peltandra virginica.
How do you use "tuckahoe" in a sentence?
In June, July, and August, they feed upon the rootes of Tockwough berries, fish, and greene wheat.
How do you pronounce "tuckahoe"?
Pronounced /ˈtʌkəhəʊ/.
Etymology
From Powhatan tockawhoughe. The "person" sense implies that such a person was so poor as to be reduced to eating the root.