husk

[huhsk]

noun

1. the dry external covering of certain fruits or seeds, especially of an ear of corn.

2. the enveloping or outer part of anything, especially when dry or worthless.

verb (used with object)

1. to remove the husk from.

husk

¹

/ hʌsk /

noun

1. the external green or membranous covering of certain fruits and seeds

2. any worthless outer covering

verb

1. (tr) to remove the husk from

husk

²

noun

1. bronchitis in cattle, sheep, and goats, usually caused by lungworm infestation

Other Word Forms

• husklike adjective
• husker noun
• unhusked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of husk¹

1350–1400; Middle English huske, equivalent to hus- (akin to Old English hosu pod, husk) + -ke, weak variant of -ock

Word History and Origins

Origin of husk¹

C14: probably based on Middle Dutch huusken little house, from hūs house; related to Old English hosu husk, hūs _house

Example Sentences

It hints at the trend of hedge fund managers buying local publications to drain them until they’re husks of their former selves.

Read more on Salon

Lifting weights, I’m just trying to keep this old husk limber and I wanna be able to have a healthy aging.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sir Geoff's academic work saw him invent the barley abrasion process - which involves deliberately damaging the protective husk of grains to speed up the process of malting.

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MK suggested they create perfumes from fermented chocolate husks, and before they left Bangkok, he gave them several bags of cacao husks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He is a shriveled husk devoid of empathy.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• chaff 
• pod 
• rind