Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Cork?

\Cork\ (k[^o]rk), n. [Cf. G., Dan., & Sw. kork, D. kurk; all fr. Sp. corcho, fr. L. cortex, corticis, bark, rind. Cf. {Cortex}.] 1. The outer layer of the bark of the cork tree ({Quercus Suber}), of which stoppers for bottles and casks are made. See {Cutose}. 2. A stopper for a bottle or cask, cut out of cork. 3. A mass of tabular cells formed in any kind of bark, in greater or less abundance. Note: Cork is sometimes used wrongly for calk, calker; calkin, a sharp piece of iron on the shoe of a horse or ox. {Cork jackets}, a jacket having thin pieces of cork inclosed within canvas, and used to aid in swimming. {Cork tree} (Bot.), the species of oak ({Quercus Suber} of Southern Europe) whose bark furnishes the cork of commerce.
\Cork\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Corked} (k[^o]rkt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Corking}.] 1. To stop with a cork, as a bottle. 2. To furnish or fit with cork; to raise on cork. Tread on corked stilts a prisoner's pace. --Bp. Hall. Note: To cork is sometimes used erroneously for to calk, to furnish the shoe of a horse or ox with sharp points, and also in the meaning of cutting with a calk.