corn silk

noun

1. the long, threadlike, silky styles on an ear of corn.

corn silk

noun

1. the silky tuft of styles and stigmas at the tip of an ear of maize, formerly used as a diuretic

Word History and Origins

Origin of corn silk¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The postmaster was one of the china-eyed, corn-silk Swedes, and he owned quite a bit of Goldstone.

From Project Gutenberg

I caught her to my heart and kissed the soft corn-silk hair, the deep melting eyes, the ripe red lips.

From Project Gutenberg

"You have a fine, natural swing," said the Colonel in a tone soft as corn silk.

From Project Gutenberg

Can you put the corn-silk back on the corn, or the down on the catkins—say?

From Project Gutenberg

From velvet muzzle to sweeping tail, from mottled croup to fetlocks, she shone in the sunlight like corn-silk.

From Project Gutenberg