maize

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

maize, n. [Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, is the language of the Island of Haiti.].

 A large species of American grass of the genus Zea (Zea Mays), widely cultivated as a forage and food plant; Indian corn, commonly called corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used as food for men and animals.  [1913 Webster]

Maize eater (Zoöl.), a South American bird of the genus Pseudoleistes, allied to the troupials. -- Maize yellow, a delicate pale yellow.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

maize, n.
1 a cereal plant, Zea mays, native to N. America, yielding large grains set in rows on a cob.
2 the cobs or grains of this (see CORN(1)).

Etymology

F ma{iuml}s or Sp. maiz, of Carib orig.