husk

[ huhsk ]

/ hʌsk /

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See synonyms for: husk / husked / husking / husks on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

verb (used with object)

to remove the husk from.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of husk

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

OTHER WORDS FROM husk

husker, nounhusklike, adjectiveun·husked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use husk in a sentence

There are all kinds of other shell defects, like a partial husk or dark spots from sunburn that discolors the shell, which in turn means the kernel won’t be very good quality.
The machines that get walnuts from trees to your mouth|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Once they have fallen out of their husks, buckeyes can have a similar appearance to acorns, but unlike acorns, buckeyes are toxic and unable to be leached.
13 edible plants you can still find in the winter|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|December 1, 2020|Popular-Science
But when I went into the bathroom all I saw were picture of bands from the 90s—Pearl Jam and Husker Du.
He Left Nirvana Because He Had Cooler Things to Do. Like Going to Iraq.|Jacob Siegel|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A little later, in October, when I was called to take my place as corn-husker, he was promoted to the plow.
A Son of the Middle Border|Hamlin Garland

No: cider-mill, mowing-machine, corn-husker—all faithfully attend to their business.
The Confidence-Man|Herman Melville
The nuts are run through the husker a couple of times to assure a clean job of husking.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943|Various
The nuts are gathered into bushel baskets and hauled in a pick-up truck to the husker.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943|Various
The cleanly husked nuts drop into a basket at the end of the husker.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943|Various

British Dictionary definitions for husk (1 of 2)

husk¹

/ (hʌsk) /

noun

the external green or membranous covering of certain fruits and seeds

any worthless outer covering

verb

(tr) to remove the husk from

Derived forms of husk

husker, nounhusklike, adjective

Word Origin for husk

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

British Dictionary definitions for husk (2 of 2)

husk²

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

husk

Origin of husk

OTHER WORDS FROM husk

Words related to husk

How to use husk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for husk (1 of 2)

Derived forms of husk

Word Origin for husk

British Dictionary definitions for husk (2 of 2)