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

Hours were marked by peals of screams following every uncovered worm wriggling in the corn silks, and each of us proudly showing off our inky fingertips from pressing out purple hull peas from their pods.

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During a video interview last month from his home in Los Angeles, he gulped from a large glass of corn silk tea, intended to ease some prostate issues that he said might be stress-related.

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The ground was littered with rotten fruit and corn silk, their fermented scent lacing the more pleasant aromas of sizzling sausages and beer.

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Remove any corn silk, lightly brush corn with oil, then grill, turning occasionally until the kernels are golden brown.

Read more on Seattle Times

It’s the color of her hair — soft and fine as corn silk.

Read more on Los Angeles Times