roasting ear

noun

an ear of sweet corn suitable for roasting while still in the husk.
Midland and Southern U.S. an ear of sweet corn ripe enough to be boiled and eaten on the cob.

Origin of roasting ear

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50

Words nearby roasting ear

roaring twenties, roarming, roast, roaster, roasting, roasting ear, rob, rob peter to pay paul, rob roy, rob someone blind, rob the cradle

Example sentences from the Web for roasting ear

  • Soon, thereafter, the green corn or roasting-ear came into season, and I heard no more of the scurvy.

    The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman, Complete |William T. Sherman

  • In short, there had never before been seen, in that neighbourhood, a roasting-ear patch quite as vigorous.

    The Bishop and the Boogerman |Joel Chandler Harris

  • When the katydid (tsĭkĭkĭ′) is heard a little later they say, “Katydid has brought the roasting-ear bread.”

    Myths of the Cherokee |James Mooney