starch
[ stahrch ]
/ stɑrtʃ /
noun
verb (used with object)
to stiffen or treat with starch.
to make stiff or rigidly formal (sometimes followed by up).
Origin of starch
1375–1425; (v.) late Middle English
sterchen orig., to stiffen, Old English
stercean to make stiff, strengthen, derivative of
stearc
stark; cognate with German
stärken to strengthen; (noun) late Middle English
starch(e),
sterche, derivative of the v.
OTHER WORDS FROM starch
Words nearby starch
Example sentences from the Web for starched
British Dictionary definitions for starched
starch
/ (stɑːtʃ) /
noun
a polysaccharide composed of glucose units that occurs widely in plant tissues in the form of storage granules, consisting of amylose and amylopectin
Related adjective: amylaceous
Also called: amylum
a starch obtained from potatoes and some grain: it is fine white powder that forms a translucent viscous solution on boiling with water and is used to stiffen fabric and in many industrial processes
any food containing a large amount of starch, such as rice and potatoes
stiff or pompous formality of manner or conduct
verb
(tr)
to stiffen with or soak in starch
adjective
(of a person) formal; stiff
Derived forms of starch
starcher, noun starchlike, adjectiveWord Origin for starch
Old English
stercan (unattested except by the past participle
sterced) to stiffen; related to Old Saxon
sterkian, Old High German
sterken to strengthen, Dutch
sterken; see
stark
Medical definitions for starched
starch
[ stärch ]
n.
A naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, and commonly prepared as a white, amorphous, tasteless powder used in powders, ointments, and pastes.
amylum
A food having a high content of starch, such as rice, bread, and potatoes.
Scientific definitions for starched
starch
[ stärch ]
A carbohydrate that is the chief form of stored energy in plants, especially wheat, corn, rice, and potatoes. Starch is a mixture of two different polysaccharides built out of glucose units, and forms a white, tasteless powder when purified. It is an important source of nutrition and is also used to make adhesives, paper, and textiles.
Any of various substances, including natural starch, used to stiffen fabrics.
Idioms and Phrases with starched
starch
see take the starch out of.