curdle

[ kur-dl ]

/ ˈkɜr dl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR curdle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), cur·dled, cur·dling.

to change into curd; coagulate; congeal.

to spoil; turn sour.

to go wrong; turn bad or fail: Their friendship began to curdle as soon as they became business rivals.

Nearby words

curculio, curcuma, curcumin, curd, curd cheese, curdle, curdy, cure, cure-all, curet, curettage

Idioms

curdle the/one's blood, to fill a person with horror or fear; terrify: a scream that curdled the blood.

Origin of curdle

First recorded in 1580–90; curd + -le

Related forms

cur·dler, nounnon·cur·dling, adjective, nounun·cur·dled, adjectiveun·cur·dling, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for curdle

No matter what the subject, he came up with a sound bite that could curdle milk.
Becoming Gore Vidal: The Henry Adams of Our Age|Morris Dickstein|August 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And though topical humor tends to be transitory, a really bad gag can take on a life of its own and curdle a political career.
How Funny Is Obama?|Sandra McElwaine|January 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Stir soup over fire a few minutes to reheat; but be careful that it does not boil, or it will curdle.
The Story of Crisco|Marion Harris Neil
It must not be added to the eggs in a boiling state or else they will curdle.
Cassell's Vegetarian Cookery|A. G. Payne

Stir until the mixture thickens, being careful it does not curdle.
The Skilful Cook|Mary Harrison
Whip up the eggs, stir carefully into them the hot milk, so as not to curdle the eggs.
The Allinson Vegetarian Cookery Book|Thomas R. Allinson
Yolk of egg is often used in fricassee, cream is better, as the former is apt to curdle.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,|Mary Eaton

British Dictionary definitions for curdle

curdle

/ (ˈkɜːdəl) /

verb

to turn or cause to turn into curd

curdle someone's blood to fill someone with fear

Derived Forms

curdler, noun

Word Origin for curdle

C16 (crudled, past participle): from curd

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