congeal

American  

[kuhn-jeel] / kənˈdʒil /

verb (used with or without object)

1. 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.

   Synonyms:

   solidify, jell, set, harden

2. to curdle; coagulate, as a fluid.

3. to make or become fixed, as ideas, sentiments, or principles.

   Some philosophic systems lost their vitality and congealed.

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congeal British  

/ kənˈdʒiːl /

verb

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

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• congealability
  noun
• congealable
  adjective
• congealableness
  noun
• congealedness
  noun
• congealer
  noun
• congealment
  noun
• half-congealed
  adjective
• noncongealing
  adjective
• uncongeal
  verb (used without object)
• uncongealable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of congeal

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

Explanation

Congeal means to jell — to solidify or become gelatinous. Sounds gross? But wiggly Jell-O is actually congealed liquid, so it can't be that bad, right? This word comes to us from the Old French word congeler, which means "to freeze." So when something congeals it goes from liquid to solid form, almost like freezing. No one usually likes congealed anything — whether it's chunkified old soup in the fridge or dried blood on a wound. See? Pretty gross. Jell-O is about as good as congealed gets!

Example Sentences

The ministerial countenances, I mark, Congeal to dazed surprise at my straight motion— Why, passes sane conjecture.

From The Dynasts by Hardy, Thomas

Congeal, kon-jēl′, v.t. to freeze: to change from fluid to solid by cold: to solidify, as by cold.—v.i. to pass from fluid to solid, as by cold: to stiffen: to coagulate.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

The gray waves of the Sea of Death Congeal under the cold Sun of Suffering, While Time, playing the flute of Fate, Charms them, snake-like, and doth bring.

From Sandhya Songs of Twilight by Mukerji, Dhan Gopal

Then, not before, I felt my cruddled blood Congeal with fear, my hair with horror stood: My father's image fill'd my pious mind, Lest equal years might equal fortune find.

From The Aeneid English by Virgil

Related Words

• curdle
• thicken