Indian corn

noun

1. corn ¹( def 1 ).
2. any primitive corn with variegated kernels, often used for decorative purposes.
3. any coarse variety of corn grown for fodder.

Indian corn

noun

1. another name for maize

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian corn¹

An Americanism dating back to 1610–20

Example Sentences

In the dust of the barn lot Papa had come across an ear of Indian corn.

From Literature

But in the fall, it takes on the appearance of a one-stop seasonal shop: bundles of Indian corn speckled with jewel-tone purples, lemon yellows and deep auburn.

From Washington Post

“This is our way of life. The Indian corn, we use that for several ceremonies. A lot of our Navajo people rely on the corn to get through the winter months.”

From Washington Times

I have never seen an ear of corn so long or handsome, not jeweled like Indian corn, but elegant and talismanic.

From Washington Post

Winslow wrote: “Our corn did prove well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn.”

From Washington Post