Pronunciation: [kˈɒnkə] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the popular children's game and autumnal pastime is "conker" (/ˈkɒŋkə/). The first syllable is pronounced like "pong" with a hard "c" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced like "kər." The word comes from the Latin "conquerere," meaning "to conquer." In the game, players take turns hitting each other's conkers (usually horse chestnuts) until one breaks. The winner is the player with the unbroken conker.
A conker is a noun that refers to a hard, glossy seed of the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus Hippocastanum). It is typically round, with a brown appearance and a glossy surface. Conkers are encased within a spiky outer shell that splits open to reveal the seed. These seeds are commonly found in autumn when they fall from the trees.
In many regions, conkers are widely known for their use in a traditional childhood game called "conkers." The game requires each player to thread a string or lace through the seed, which is then swung at the opponent's conker in an attempt to break it. The game is played by taking turns striking each other's conkers until one of them shatters, with the aim being to have the unbroken conker.
Apart from the game, conkers have also gained popularity for their potential use in various crafts and natural remedies. Some people believe that conkers can repel spiders due to their purported chemical composition. Additionally, they are sometimes used in children's crafting activities or for decorative purposes.
In sum, a conker is the hard, glossy seed of the horse chestnut tree that falls from the tree in autumn. It is commonly associated with a traditional game played with threaded seeds, as well as its potential use in crafts and natural remedies.
The word "conker" is believed to have originated in England in the late 19th century and is derived from the word "conquer" or "conqueror". The game of conkers involves two players who each have a hardened and pierced horse chestnut (known as a conker) threaded onto a string. The players take turns hitting each other's conker until one breaks. The term "conker" is thought to have been influenced by the competitive nature of the game, where one aims to "conquer" or break their opponent's conker.
