culm

(kulm)

noun

  1. waste material from coal screenings or washings
  2. fine pieces of anthracite coal

Origin: northern Brit dial. < ME colme, culme < ? OE col, coal + ? suffix as in fæthm, fathom

noun

the jointed stem of various grasses, usually hollow

Origin: L culmus, a stalk, stem < IE *kolemos < Gr kalamos, reed, Ger halm, blade (of grass)

intransitive verb

to grow or develop into a culm

See culm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

culm 1

noun
The stem of a grass or similar plant.

Origin: Latin culmus, stalk.

culm 2

noun
  1. Waste from anthracite coal mines, consisting of fine coal, coal dust, and dirt.
  2. a. Carboniferous shale.
    b. Inferior anthracite coal.

Origin: Middle English colme, coal dust, perhaps from Old English col, coal.

Learn more about culm

link/cite print suggestion box