cork

/kɔ:k/
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cork

A fisherman watches the cork bob on the water.

Definition

Noun: 1. A buoyant, lightweight material: A thick, light material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber), used especially for making stoppers for bottles. 2. A bottle stopper: A cylindrical object, typically made from the bark of the cork oak, used to seal the opening of a bottle, especially a wine bottle. 3. A small float: A piece of cork or similar buoyant material attached to a fishing line to keep the bait at a certain depth or indicate a bite. 4. Botanical tissue: The outer, protective layer of dead cells in the bark of a woody plant.

Verb: 1. To seal with a cork: To close a bottle by inserting a cork stopper into its neck. 2. To stuff or fill with cork: To insert cork material into something, often to alter its weight or properties (e.g., illegally modifying a baseball bat).

Usage Examples

Noun: * The sommelier expertly removed the cork from the wine bottle. * The fisherman watched the cork bob on the surface of the water. * This insulation is made from recycled cork.

Verb: * Please cork the bottle tightly after opening. * The player was suspended for attempting to cork his bat.

Advanced Usage
  • "To pop the cork": To open a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, often in celebration.
    • They popped the cork to celebrate their anniversary.
  • "Cork oak": The tree () whose bark is harvested to produce commercial cork.
    • Cork oaks are primarily found in the Mediterranean region.
Variants and Related Words
  • Corked (adjective):
    • Sealed with a cork. "A corked bottle."
    • (Of wine) Spoiled due to a contaminated cork, giving it a musty odor and taste. "This bottle is unfortunately corked."
  • Corker (noun, informal): An excellent or remarkable person or thing.
  • Corkboard: A board made of compressed cork, used as a noticeboard.
Synonyms
  • Noun (stopper): Stopper, plug, bung.
  • Noun (material): Phellem (botanical term).
  • Verb (to seal): Stopper, plug, seal.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Cork up:
    • To seal a bottle with a cork. "Cork up the olive oil to preserve its flavor."
    • (Informal) To suppress or bottle up (emotions). "He tends to cork up his feelings."
Related Idioms
  • "Like a cork": Describing something that bobs back up resiliently after being pushed down.
    • No matter how many setbacks he faces, he always comes back like a cork.
  • "To blow one's cork" (slang): To lose one's temper suddenly.
    • My boss blew his cork when he saw the mistake.
cork

A fisherman watches the cork bob on the water.

Noun
  1. a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line
  2. the plug in the mouth of a bottle (especially a wine bottle)
  3. a port city in southern Ireland
  4. (botany) outer tissue of bark; a protective layer of dead cells
  5. outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.
Verb
  1. stuff with cork
    • The baseball player stuffed his bat with cork to make it lighter
  2. close a bottle with a cork