cork

Definition

The dead protective tissue between the bark and cambium in woody plants, with suberin deposits making it impervious to gasses and water.

Etymology

From Middle English cork (“oak bark, cork”), from Middle Dutch curc (“cork (material or object)”), either from Spanish corcho (“cork (material or object)”) (also corcha or corche) or from Old Spanish alcorque (“cork sole”). Doublet of cortex.

Example Sentences

• "I confess my confidence was shaken by these actions, though I knew well enough that his leg was no more cork than my own"
• "Because cork is porous, it expands and contracts with changes in humidity."
• "Snobs feel it's hard to call it wine with a straight face when the cork is made of plastic."