husk

views updated May 14 2018

husk / həsk/ • n. the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds. ∎  a dry or rough outer layer or coating, esp. when empty of its contents: the husks of dead bugs | fig. I expect whatever husk of a person emerges from the car to be sheet-white. • v. 1. [tr.] remove the husk or husks from.2. [with direct speech] say something in a husky voice: “Help me,” husked Miles.

husk

views updated May 18 2018

husk. Classical ornament in the form of a stylized bell-flower, nut-shell, or wheat-ear, usually in series, linked together in drops, festoons, garlands, or strings. When composed to form a husk-garland, the vertical parts ‘hanging’ on each side often have nut-shells diminishing in size towards the bottom, although, like festoons, they increase in size towards the centre of the catenary curve.

husk

views updated Jun 11 2018

husk XIV. of uncert. orig.; cf. LG. hūske little house, core of fruit, sheath = MDu. hūskijn (Du. huisken), dim. of hūs HOUSE.
Hence husky full of husks, dry as a husk XVI; dry in the throat XVIII; (N. Amer.) tough, hefty XIX.

husk

views updated May 21 2018

husk (or hull) The outer cellulose covering of seeds and grains. In wheat it is loosely attached and removed during threshing; in rice it is firmly attached. High in fibre content and of limited use as animal feed.

Husk

views updated Jun 11 2018

Husk

a down or group of haresStrutt, 1801.