maize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
    corn; Indian corn; Zea mays.
  2. noun a strong yellow color
    lemon yellow; gamboge; lemon.

WordNet

Maize noun
Etymology
Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, i the language of the Island of Hayti.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A large species of American grass of the genus Zea (Z. Mays), widely cultivated as a forage and food plant; Indian corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used as food for men animals.

Webster 1913