1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a any cereal before or after harvesting, esp. the chief crop of a region: wheat, oats, or (in the US and Australia) maize. b a grain or seed of a cereal plant.
2 colloq. something corny or trite.
--v.tr. (as corned adj.) sprinkled or preserved with salt or brine (corned beef).
Phrases and idioms:
corn-cob the cylindrical centre of the maize ear to which rows of grains are attached. corn-cob pipe a tobacco-pipe made from a corn-cob. corn-cockle see COCKLE(2). corn dolly a symbolic or decorative figure made of plaited straw. corn exchange a place for trade in corn. corn-factor Brit. a dealer in corn. corn marigold a daisy-like yellow-flowered plant, Chrysanthemum segetum, growing amongst corn. corn on the cob maize cooked and eaten from the corn-cob. corn-salad lamb's lettuce (see LAMB). corn-spurry see SPURRY. corn-whiskey US whisky distilled from maize.
Etymology: OE f. Gmc: rel. to L granum grain 2. n. a small area of horny usu. tender skin esp. on the toes, extending into subcutaneous tissue.
Etymology: ME f. AF f. L cornu horn