corn smut

noun

1. a disease of corn caused by a fungus, Ustilago maydis, and characterized by blackish, powdery masses of spores on the affected parts of the plant.

corn smut

noun

1. an ascomycetous parasitic fungus, Ustilago zeae, that causes gall-like deformations on maize grain
2. the condition produced by this fungus

Word History and Origins

Origin of corn smut¹

First recorded in 1880–85