husk
Americannoun
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the dry external covering of certain fruits or seeds, especially of an ear of corn.
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the enveloping or outer part of anything, especially when dry or worthless.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the external green or membranous covering of certain fruits and seeds
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any worthless outer covering
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of husk
1350–1400; Middle English huske, equivalent to hus- (akin to Old English hosu pod, husk) + -ke, weak variant of -ock
Explanation
A husk is the fibrous covering of a seed or a fruit that's usually removed before you eat it. To make white rice, the husk is removed from the plant, leaving behind a smooth grain. When you hear the word husk, you may think of the thick leaves that cover an ear of corn. Any vegetable, legume, seed, or fruit with a protective covering has a husk, which is also called a hull or chaff. You can use this word as a verb, too: "Are you going to husk all that corn by yourself? It's almost time for dinner!" Some etymologists trace this word back to the Dutch huuskyn, "little house."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Phone calls are the worst,” says Richard Husk, a parent of two.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2022
Three years ago, Valli Fraser-Celin adopted a blonde husky mix puppy, whom she named Husk.
From Salon • Sep. 25, 2022
Husk advises putting your goal not at your ideal amount, but at the bare-bones minimum to make the film.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2022
Serving nearby clients like The Grey and Husk, he has created incentives for customers to purchase and use an entire animal, rather than just the ribs or loins.
From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2022
Husk very thick, entirely separating into 4 valves.
From Trees of the Northern United States Their Study, Description and Determination by Apgar, A. C. (Austin Craig)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
