kaoliang

9.9

A grain plant grown in China with small seeds used for food and animal feed

noun

: kaoliang

When breaches did occur, the workers piled bundles of kaoliang stalks (a type of sorghum) or rocks into the gap to stem the hemorrhage.

Examples

Farmers in northern China grow kaoliang for both its nutritious grains and robust stalks.
During the harvest season, we gather kaoliang to ensure a supply of food and fuel for the winter.
The kaoliang plants in the field are used for making local dishes and providing fodder for livestock.

Synonyms

sorghum

vskaoliang

6 7.1

A tall grass grown in warm regions for grain, animal feed, and syrup

is a specific regional type cultivated for small grains and dry stalk uses

kaffir

vskaoliang

Archaic

1 8.8

A grain plant grown for its seeds used for food for people and animals

is grown mainly in China and Manchuria and used for small grains and stalks

kaffir corn

vskaoliang

Archaic

1 9.7

A tall grain plant like corn grown for food and animal feed

is grown in China and Manchuria and valued for small grains and dry stalks

kafir corn

vskaoliang

Archaic

9.9

A type of grain plant grown for food and animal feed

is grown also for human food and for dry stalk uses

Surface Forms

kaoliang singular

kaoliangs plural

Etymology

Kaoliang comes from the Chinese word gaoliang, which literally means 'tall grain'. It names a type of sorghum, like a tall kind of corn used for food, animal feed, and to make the spirit baijiu, so the name tells you what the plant is and how people use it.