noun
corn
A small, painful area of thickened skin, usually on a foot.
A painful corn on her toe makes walking in shoes uncomfortable.
Etymology
Latin cornu means horn. The skin lesion takes its name from its hard, horn-like material, especially the small, concentrated thickening that becomes painful under pressure.
More examples
- Tight shoes can cause corns where they rub against your toes.
- The doctor examines the corn on the side of his foot.
- She wears a small pad to keep pressure off the corn.
Forms
corn · corns
Similar words
- callus
- A broader patch of thickened skin, often without pain.