What is "wing nut"

n. 1 A nut with wing-like projections to provide leverage in turning; a thumbnut. 2 (context slang English) One who advocates extreme measures or changes; a radical.

1. n. any tree of the genus Pterocarya; fruit is a small winged nutlet; Caucasus to southeastern Asia [syn: wing-nut]

2. a threaded nut with winglike projections for thumb and forefinger leverage in turning [syn: wing-nut, wing screw, butterfly nut, thumbnut]