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yolk

[ yohk, yohlk ]
/ yoʊk, yoʊlk /
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noun
the yellow and principal substance of an egg, as distinguished from the white.
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.
the essential part; the inner core.
a natural grease exuded from the skin of sheep.
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Also yoke.

Origin of yolk

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

OTHER WORDS FROM yolk

yolked, adjectiveyolkless, adjectiveyolky, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH yolk

yoke, yolk
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use yolk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for yolk

yolk
/ (jəʊk) /

noun
the substance in an animal ovum consisting of protein and fat that nourishes the developing embryoRelated adjective: vitelline
a greasy substance secreted by the skin of a sheep and present in the fleece

Derived forms of yolk

yolkless, adjectiveyolky, adjective

Word Origin for yolk

Old English geoloca, from geolu yellow
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 yolk

yolk
[ yōk ]

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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