cork

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

• 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