cork

 
Pronunciation: /kɔːk/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] a buoyant light brown substance obtained from the outer layer of the bark of the cork oak: vinyl-coated cork is practical as a floor covering [as modifier]: cork tiles
  • Botany a protective layer of dead cells immediately below the bark of woody plants.
  • 2a bottle stopper made of cork or a similar material: he pulled out the cork and commenced pouring the wine champagne corks popped
  • a piece of cork used as a float for a fishing line or net: the little steamer was tossed about like a cork

verb

[with object]
  • 1close or seal (a bottle) with a cork: the bottles were tightly corked and wired
  • (as adjective corked) (of wine) spoilt by tannin from the cork: always open and taste your wine before the meal, if only to check that it is not corked
  • 2draw with burnt cork: he had corked a moustache on his upper lip
  • 3illicitly hollow out (a baseball bat) and fill it with cork to make it lighter: the balls are doctored and the bats are corked

Origin:

Middle English: from Dutch and Low German kork, from Spanish alcorque 'cork-soled sandal', from Arabic al- 'the' and (probably) Spanish Arabic qurq, qorq, based on Latin quercus 'oak, cork oak'