corn silk

American  

noun

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

---

corn silk British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of corn silk

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Then, remove the corn silk and pull the husks back over the cobs and twist closed.

From Washington Post

The morsels — some the color of ruby red grapefruit, some as golden as corn silk — stretch the poultry spectrum beyond the dark and white meats that define the standard American chicken experience.

From Washington Post

Select the biggest corn husks from the package and remove all strands of corn silk.

From Salon

It doesn't really feel like May till you have clingy corn silk stuck to your wrists and hands.

From Los Angeles Times

He started smoking at eight, sneaking beside the creek to puff corn silk.

From The Guardian