congeal

[kuhn-jeel]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR congeal ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing: The fat congealed on the top of the soup.

to curdle; coagulate, as a fluid.

to make or become fixed, as ideas, sentiments, or principles: Some philosophic systems lost their vitality and congealed.

Origin of congeal

1350–1400; Middle English congelen (< Middle French congeler) < Latin congelāre, equivalent to con- con- + gelāre to freeze; see gelid

Related formscon·geal·a·ble, adjectivecon·geal·a·bil·i·ty, con·geal·a·ble·ness, nouncon·geal·ed·ness, nouncon·geal·er, nouncon·geal·ment, nounhalf-con·gealed, adjectivenon·con·geal·ing, adjective, nounun·con·geal, verb (used without object)un·con·geal·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms for congeal

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR congeal ON THESAURUS.COM

1. harden, set, jell, solidify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for congeal

curdle, thicken, dry, stiffen, indurate, set, refrigerate, condense, freeze, harden, concrete, jelly, solidify, clot, cake, gelatinize, jell, jellify, clabber, gel

Examples from the Web for congeal

Contemporary Examples of congeal

But when directed inward, that lifeblood tends to congeal, while exposed to rigorous movement it can offer sustaining power.
Voting For Yair Lapid, Israel’s Maimonides
Rabbi Daniel Landes
February 4, 2013

Historical Examples of congeal

Then take it off directly, strain it, and put it into moulds to congeal.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
You may put it into moulds to congeal, setting them in a cold place.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Beat it thoroughly and turn it into a mould and set on the ice to congeal.
The Golden Age Cook Book
Henrietta Latham Dwight
Wet a mould and pour the mixture into it; 102set on the ice to congeal.
The Golden Age Cook Book
Henrietta Latham Dwight
Elise felt the allusion, and her blood seemed to congeal in her heart.
Ten Years Later
Alexandre Dumas, Pere

British Dictionary definitions for congeal

congeal

verb

to change or cause to change from a soft or fluid state to a firm or solid state

to form or cause to form into a coagulated mass; curdle; jell

(intr) (of ideas) to take shape or become fixed in form

Derived Formscongealable, adjectivecongealer, nouncongealment, noun

Word Origin for congeal

C14: from Old French congeler, from Latin congelāre, from com- together + gelāre to freeze

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for congeal

late 14c., from Old French congeler (14c.) "to freeze, thicken," from Latin congelare "to cause to freeze, to freeze together," from com- "together" (see com-) + gelare "to freeze," from gelu "frost, ice" (see cold (adj.)). Related: Congealed; congealing.