cob in English
- cob⇄cob (1), noun.
1. the center part of an ear of corn, on which the kernels grow; a corncob.
2a. a strong horse with short legs.
b. (U.S.) a horse having an affectedly high gait.
3. a male swan.
Ex. [He] took pity on a cob a - cob⇄cob (2) noun.
a gull, especially the great black-backed gull. Also, cobb.
cob in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
cob in Marathi मराठी
cob in Telugu తెలుగు
Cob
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/kɒb/
Definitions
- Noun: The central, typically cylindrical part of an ear of corn, which contains the kernels.
- Noun: A male swan (also called a cob swan).
- Noun: A kind of bread made from cornmeal, often in a round shape.
- Verb: To prepare or harvest corn on the cob by removing the kernels from the central stalk.
Usage Examples
- "The corn was served on the cob at the barbecue."
- "A cob swan is usually larger than a pen swan."
- "They had fresh cob bread with butter for breakfast."
- "He cobbed the corn from the fields to prepare for the market."
Etymology
The word 'cob' comes from Old English 'cobbe,' meaning a small piece or a head (as in a small head of corn or a rounded shape), which is related to the Middle English 'cobbe' (a lump or mass). The term is related to the shape of the object it describes.
Synonyms
- Ear (of corn)
- Stalk (of corn)
- Male swan (for the animal meaning)
- Round loaf (for the bread meaning)
Antonyms
- Pen (female swan)
- Kernel (referring to corn kernels)
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Cob | /kɒb/ |
| Spanish | Espiga | /esˈpiɣa/ |
| French | Épi de maïs | /epi də mɛs/ |
| German | Kolben | /ˈkɔlbən/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 玉米棒 | /yù mǐ bàng/ |
| Russian | Початок | /pəˈt͡ʃatok/ |
| Arabic | أذن الذرة | /ʔudhn al-dhurra/ |
| Hindi | भुट्टे का डंठल | /bhutte kā ḍanṭhal/ |
| Portuguese | Espiga de milho | /esˈpiɣɐ dʒi ˈmiʎu/ |
| Italian | Spiga di mais | /ˈspiːɡa di ˈmaiz/ |
| Japanese | とうもろこしの芯 | /tōmorokoshi no shin/ |
| Korean | 옥수수 속 | /oksusu sog/ |
| Turkish | Mısır kozası | /mɯsɯr koˈzɑsɯ/ |
| Greek | Καλαμπόκι | /kalampóki/ |
| Thai | ฝักข้าวโพด | /fàk khâo pôht/ |
| Hebrew | תירס | /tiras/ |
| Polish | Kłos kukurydzy | /kwɔs kuˈkurɨd͡zɨ/ |
| Bengali | ভুট্টার গাছ | /bhutār gāc/ |
| Swedish | Majskolv | /majsˌkɔlv/ |
| Dutch | Maiskolven | /ˈmɛi̯sˌkɔlfən/ |
| Vietnamese | Bắp ngô | /báp ngô/ |
| Malay | Tongkol jagung | /ˈtʊŋkɔl ˈdʒaɡʊŋ/ |
| Ukrainian | Качан кукурудзи | /kaˈt͡ʃan kukurud͡zy/ |
| Finnish | Maissintähkä | /ˈmɑi̯sːinˌtæhkæ/ |
| Swahili | Viwandani vya mahindi | /viˈwɑndɑni vya mɑˈhindi/ |
| Romanian | Stoc de porumb | /stok de poˈrumb/ |
| Tagalog | Uhay ng mais | /ʊˈhaj ŋ mɑˈɪs/ |
| Serbian | Klasa kukuruza | /ˈklasa kukuˈruza/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In certain regions, 'cob' may be pronounced with more emphasis on the 'o' sound, such as in the United Kingdom (/kɒb/), while in the United States, the pronunciation may slightly soften the 'o' (/kɑb/).
Historical Usage
The word 'cob' has been in use for centuries. Originally referring to a small head or lump, it was used in reference to the shape of the ear of corn. In early farming communities, 'cob' referred to a variety of corn or to a loaf of bread made from cornmeal. Over time, the term also became associated with male swans due to their rounded shape, similar to the shape of the corn cob.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, the cob of corn is a symbol of abundance, often associated with harvest festivals and agricultural traditions. In some regions, corn on the cob is considered a traditional food, especially during summer months. The cob also plays an important role in various cuisines, where it is grilled, boiled, or roasted as part of a meal.
More Information
The word 'cob' primarily refers to the central, firm part of an ear of corn that contains the kernels. This cylindrical stalk is used in cooking and also serves as a part of the agricultural process where the kernels are harvested. Beyond the agricultural context, the term is also applied to male swans, which are known for their more prominent, rounded shape compared to the female swan (pen). The term 'cob' is deeply rooted in cultural and agricultural traditions, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and the harvest.
Additionally, 'cob' is used to describe a kind of round loaf of bread, often a rustic and hearty bread found in various European countries. The versatility of the term 'cob' across different contexts, from farming to cuisine to wildlife, highlights its longstanding presence in human language and society.