corn smut

noun

a disease of corn caused by a fungus, Ustilago maydis, and characterized by blackish, powdery masses of spores on the affected parts of the plant.

Origin of corn smut

First recorded in 1880–85

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British Dictionary definitions for corn smut

corn smut

noun

an ascomycetous parasitic fungus, Ustilago zeae, that causes gall-like deformations on maize grain

the condition produced by this fungus

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