yolk

[yohk, yohlk]

noun

1. the yellow and principal substance of an egg, as distinguished from the white.

2. Embryology.,  the part of the contents of the egg of an animal that enters directly into the formation of the embryo, together with any material that nourishes the embryo during its formation.

3. the essential part; the inner core.

4. a natural grease exuded from the skin of sheep.

yolk

/ jəʊk /

noun

1. the substance in an animal ovum consisting of protein and fat that nourishes the developing embryo

2. a greasy substance secreted by the skin of a sheep and present in the fleece

yolk

1. The yellow internal part of the egg of a bird or reptile. The yolk is surrounded by the albumen and supplies food to the developing young.

Other Word Forms

• yolked adjective
• yolkless adjective
• yolky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of yolk¹

before 1000; Middle English yolke, yelke, Old English geoloca, derivative of geolu yellow

Word History and Origins

Origin of yolk¹

Old English geoloca, from geolu _yellow

Example Sentences

There was a time, not so long ago, when the internet spoke in yolk.

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A yolk giving way under the edge of a knife.

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"When they are small, they kind of look like an elephant squished into a little yolk sack."

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Under the proposal, other labels like, "egg yolk", "egg white" and "escalope" would be restricted to products that contain meat.

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A few eggs with fat, golden yolks whipped until airy.

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