corncob
UK[ˈkɔːnkɒb]US[ˈkɔːrnkɑːb]
n
The hard central part of an ear of corn (maize), to which the grains are attached.
Morpheme Breakdown
corn
cob
corn
grain
cob
central part
Etymology
The word 'corncob' is a transparent English compound formed from two native elements. 'Corn' derives from the Old English word for any cereal grain, which narrowed in American English to specifically refer to maize. 'Cob' has a more obscure history, entering English in the 15th century with meanings related to a round mass or a sturdy object. The compound 'corncob' logically combines these elements to name the "grain's core," the solid cylindrical structure that remains after the kernels of maize are removed. This term exemplifies how English creates precise, descriptive vocabulary by combining existing words.
Analysis
Structure: corn (grain) + cob (central part)
corn: From Old English 'corn', meaning "grain, seed". Its ultimate origin is Proto-Germanic, related to the idea of a small, hard particle.
cob: Likely from Late Middle English, of uncertain origin, possibly related to a Germanic root for a rounded object or lump. In this compound, it denotes the central, cylindrical core.
Examples
The children used dried corncobs to make simple crafts.
After the picnic, we threw the corncobs into the compost pile.
A traditional pipe was sometimes carved from a corncob.