Corn Laws

Corn Laws
n.
in England, certain laws imposing heavy duties on the importation of grain, repealed in 1846

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n [pl]
a set of British laws, first introduced in the Middle Ages, which controlled the import and export of grain in order to protect the price of British wheat. They were unpopular in the 19th century when there was a shortage of wheat and the laws were keeping the prices high. Many Members of Parliament owned agricultural land and made large profits from these high prices. In 1846, under pressure from the Anti-Corn Law League, the government changed the laws.

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Any of the regulations governing the import and export of grain (called corn by the English) in Britain.

Records mention the imposition of Corn Laws as early as the 12th century. They became politically important in the late 18th and early 19th century, during the grain shortage caused by Britain's growing population, bad harvests, and the blockades imposed in the Napoleonic Wars. When Sir Robert Peel became prime minister the laws were finally repealed (1846). See also Anti-Corn Law League.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Corn laws — Corn Corn, n. [AS. corn; akin to OS. korn, D. koren, G., Dan., Sw., & Icel. korn, Goth. ka[ u]rn, L. granum, Russ. zerno. Cf. {Grain}, {Kernel}.] 1. A single seed of certain plants, as wheat, rye, barley, and maize; a grain. [1913 Webster] 2. The …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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