Zea mays

Corn Corn, n. [AS. corn; akin to OS. korn, D. koren, G., Dan., Sw., & Icel. korn, Goth. ka['u]rn, L. granum, Russ. zerno. Cf. {Grain}, {Kernel}.] 1. A single seed of certain plants, as wheat, rye, barley, and maize; a grain. [1913 Webster]

2. The various farinaceous grains of the cereal grasses used for food, as wheat, rye, barley, maize, oats. [1913 Webster]

Note: In Scotland, corn is generally restricted to oats, in the United States, to maize, or {Indian corn} (see sense 3), and in England to wheat. [1913 Webster +PJC]

3. a tall cereal plant ({Zea mays}) bearing its seeds as large kernels in multiple rows on the surface of a hard cylindrical ear, the core of which (the cob) is not edible; -- also called {Indian corn} and, in technical literature, {maize}. There are several kinds; as, {yellow corn}, which grows chiefly in the Northern States, and is yellow when ripe; {white corn} or {southern corn}, which grows to a great height, and has long white kernels; {sweet corn}, comprising a number of sweet and tender varieties, grown chiefly at the North, some of which have kernels that wrinkle when ripe and dry; {pop corn}, any small variety, used for popping. Corn seeds may be cooked while on the ear and eaten directly, or may be stripped from the ear and cooked subsequently. The term {Indian corn} is often used to refer to a primitive type of corn having kernels of varied color borne on the same cob; it is used for decoration, especially in the fall. [1913 Webster +PJC]

4. The plants which produce corn, when growing in the field; the stalks and ears, or the stalks, ears, and seeds, after reaping and before thrashing. [1913 Webster]

In one night, ere glimpse of morn, His shadowy flail had thrashed the corn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. A small, hard particle; a grain. ``Corn of sand.'' --Bp. Hall. ``A corn of powder.'' --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

{Corn ball}, a ball of popped corn stuck together with soft candy from molasses or sugar.

{Corn bread}, bread made of Indian meal.

{Corn cake}, a kind of corn bread; johnny cake; hoecake.

{Corn cockle} (Bot.), a weed ({Agrostemma Githago} syn. {Lychnis Githago}), having bright flowers, common in grain fields.

{Corn flag} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Gladiolus}; -- called also {sword lily}.

{Corn fly}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small fly which, in the larval state, is injurious to grain, living in the stalk, and causing the disease called ``gout,'' on account of the swelled joints. The common European species is {Chlorops t[ae]niopus}. (b) A small fly ({Anthomyia ze}) whose larva or maggot destroys seed corn after it has been planted.

{Corn fritter}, a fritter having green Indian corn mixed through its batter. [U. S.]

{Corn laws}, laws regulating trade in corn, especially those in force in Great Britain till 1846, prohibiting the importation of foreign grain for home consumption, except when the price rose above a certain rate.

{Corn marigold}. (Bot.) See under {Marigold}.

{Corn oyster}, a fritter containing grated green Indian corn and butter, the combined taste resembling that of oysters. [U.S.]

{Corn parsley} (Bot.), a plant of the parsley genus ({Petroselinum segetum}), a weed in parts of Europe and Asia.

{Corn popper}, a utensil used in popping corn.

{Corn poppy} (Bot.), the red poppy ({Papaver Rh[oe]as}), common in European cornfields; -- also called {corn rose}.

{Corn rent}, rent paid in corn.

{Corn rose}. See {Corn poppy}.

{Corn salad} (Bot.), a name given to several species of {Valerianella}, annual herbs sometimes used for salad. {Valerianella olitoria} is also called {lamb's lettuce}.

{Corn stone}, red limestone. [Prov. Eng.]

{Corn violet} (Bot.), a species of {Campanula}.

{Corn weevil}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small weevil which causes great injury to grain. (b) In America, a weevil ({Sphenophorus ze[ae]}) which attacks the stalk of maize near the root, often doing great damage. See {Grain weevil}, under {Weevil}. [1913 Webster]