starch
a white, tasteless, solid carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, occurring in the form of minute granules in the seeds, tubers, and other parts of plants, and forming an important constituent of rice, corn, wheat, beans, potatoes, and many other vegetable foods.
a commercial preparation of this substance used to stiffen textile fabrics in laundering.
starches, foods rich in natural starch.
stiffness or formality, as of manner: He is so full of starch he can't relax.
Informal. physical or mental energy; vigor.
to stiffen or treat with starch.
to make stiff or rigidly formal (sometimes followed by up).
Origin of starch
1Other words for starch
Other words from starch
- starchless, adjective
- starchlike, adjective
- o·ver·starch, verb (used with object)
- o·ver·starched, adjective
- un·starched, adjective
Words Nearby starch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use starch in a sentence
Try the starch to see if there’s any bitterness from the tannins, and if there’s not, discard the last bit of water.
The bleaching process also raises the acidity of the batter, which allows the starch in the flour to absorb more moisture, further enhancing the cake’s tenderness.
The starches start cross-linking in a layer on the outside of the potato pieces.
How to make crispy, golden potatoes, every time | Becky Krystal | December 18, 2020 | Washington PostIt’s high in starch, with 24 grams of carbs per quarter-cup serving, which means it can bind doughs together and create a chewy texture.
A Curious Eater's Guide to Alternative Flours | Christine Byrne | December 15, 2020 | Outside OnlineScrape the starch into the bowl with the potatoes and gently mix all the ingredients to combine.
This crisp, classic potato latke recipe delivers a satisfying, celebratory crunch | Olga Massov | November 30, 2020 | Washington Post
Quite a few of these loafs use potato starch and tapioca starch in attempts to produce a lighter, fluffier product.
Sugar and lots of starch will give you a boost followed by a crash that will end your late night partying.
Making it with quinoa instead of rice gives you the wonderful taste and comfort of risotto without all that starch.
Tsai: The ratio of vegetables to meat to starch is much higher.
Five World-Famous Chefs Give Their Take on the Asian-Food Craze in America | Marlow Stern | April 29, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTstarch-granules are recognized by their concentric striations and the fact that they stain blue with iodin solutions.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Toddstarch-granules sometimes retain their original form, but are ordinarily not to be recognized except by their staining reaction.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Toddstarch is insoluble in cold water, but by boiling, it dissolves, forming a thick paste.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonMandy Ann had put on her best frock, a white one, stiff with starch, and standing out like a small balloon.
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesHave ready some very clear and weak gum-arabic water, or some thin starch, or rice-water.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
British Dictionary definitions for starch
/ (stɑːtʃ) /
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
(tr) to stiffen with or soak in starch
(of a person) formal; stiff
Origin of starch
1Derived forms of starch
- starcher, noun
- starchlike, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with starch
see take the starch out of.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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