culm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun stem of plants of the Gramineae

WordNet

Culm noun
Etymology
L. culmus stark, stem; akin to colasmus. SeeHalm.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) The stalk or stem of grain and grasses (including the bamboo), jointed and usually hollow.
Culm noun
Etymology
Perh. from W. cwlm knot or tie, applied to this species of coal, which is much found in balls or knots in some parts of Wales: cf. OE. culme smoke, soot.
Definitions
  1. (Min.) (a) Mineral coal that is not bituminous; anthracite, especially when found in small masses. (b) The waste of the Pennsylvania anthracite mines, consisting of fine coal, dust, etc., and used as fuel. Raymond.

Webster 1913