curd

American  

[kurd] / kɜrd /

noun

1. Often curds. a substance consisting mainly of casein and the like, obtained from milk by coagulation, and used as food or made into cheese.

2. any substance resembling this.

3. Also called curd cheese.  Chiefly Northeastern and Southern U.S. cottage cheese.

4. the edible flower heads of cauliflower, broccoli, and similar plants.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn into curd; coagulate; congeal.

curd British  

/ kɜːd /

noun

1. (often plural) a substance formed from the coagulation of milk by acid or rennet, used in making cheese or eaten as a food

2. something similar in consistency

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verb

1. to turn into or become curd

Regionalisms

See cottage cheese.

Other Word Forms

• curdiness noun
• curdy adjective
• uncurd verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of curd

1325–75; Middle English curden (v.), variant of crudden to crud, congeal; crowd ¹

Example Sentences

Layers of crisp lemon wafer cookies, lemon zest–spiked whipped cream and a tangy smear of lemon curd between each tier.

From Salon

Wisconsin, land of cheese curds and brats and brandy Old Fashioneds.

From Los Angeles Times

Zepeda tops it with mamey curd, brown butter almond cake, and a pinole crumble.

From Salon

So while “bean curd” isn’t necessarily the most appetizing name, the food itself is something to take notice of.

From Salon

Rennet, an enzyme naturally present in the stomachs of ruminants, would prompt the milk to coagulate, separating into curds and whey, thus laying the groundwork for modern cheese production.

From Salon

Related Words

• clotting
• clump
• lump