Definition

Noun: 1. Good quality seeds reserved for planting: "Seed corn" refers specifically to kernels of corn (maize) that are selected for their high quality and saved, rather than consumed or sold, for the purpose of planting to grow the next season's crop.

Usage Notes

• The term is a compound noun. It is typically used in agricultural contexts.
• It emphasizes the of the seeds (for planting) and their (the best are chosen).
• It is often used metaphorically to represent a valuable resource that must be preserved and invested for future success.

Examples

• The farmer carefully stored the seed corn in a dry, cool barn over the winter.
• Using last year's best harvest as seed corn ensures a stronger crop next season.
• We must not eat our seed corn; we need it to grow food for future years.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: The phrase is commonly used in business, economics, and planning to warn against consuming essential resources needed for future growth.
  • Example: Cutting funding for research and development is like eating your seed corn; it sacrifices our future competitiveness for short-term gain.

Variants and Related Words

• Seed stock: A similar term referring to seeds kept for propagation.
• Planting seed: A more general phrase for seeds intended for sowing.

Synonyms

• Planting seed
• Propagation stock

Idioms and Phrases

• To eat one's seed corn: To use up the resources that are essential for creating future wealth or success, often for immediate but short-sighted benefit.
  • Example: The company sold off its patents to pay this year's bonuses, which is a classic case of eating its seed corn.

Noun

1. good quality seeds (as kernels of corn) that are reserved for planting