culm

¹

[ kuhlm ]

noun

1. coal dust; slack.
2. anthracite, especially of inferior grade.

culm

²

[ kuhlm ]

noun

1. a stem or stalk, especially the jointed and usually hollow stem of grasses.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or develop into a culm.

culm

¹

/ kʌlm /

noun

1. coal-mine waste
2. inferior anthracite

culm

²

/ kʌlm /

noun

1. the hollow jointed stem of a grass or sedge

Culm

³

noun

1. a formation consisting mainly of shales and sandstone deposited during the Carboniferous period in parts of Europe

culm

/ kŭlm /

1. The stem of a grass or similar plant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of culm¹

1300–50; Middle English colme, probably equivalent to col coal + -m suffix of uncertain meaning (compare -m in Old English fæthm fathom, wæstm growth)

Origin of culm²

1650–60; < Latin culmus stalk; akin to calamus, haulm

Word History and Origins

Origin of culm¹

C14: probably related to coal

Origin of culm²

C17: from Latin culmus stalk; see haulm

Origin of culm³

C19: from culm ¹

Example Sentences

Bamboo stems, or culms, give the tarantula ready-made burrows and nests.

From Science News

This spider therefore relies on other animals or natural forces to create an entry hole in the culm.

From Science News For Students

Once inside the culm, these spiders build a “retreat tube,” Chomphuphuang says.

From Science News For Students

The men—the lime-burners—were not long gone, and the culm was still burning.

From Project Gutenberg

Anthracite or Culm is a kind of coal containing 90 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

The sides and top are covered with culm or slack, and the heap is kindled from certain openings towards the circumference.

From Project Gutenberg

The Culm used to be a good river at Culmstock, tormented already by a factory, but not strangled as yet by a railroad.

From Project Gutenberg

How it is now the present writer does not know, and is afraid to ask, having heard of a vile "Culm Valley Line."

From Project Gutenberg