congeal

con·geal

verb \kən-ˈjēl\

Definition of CONGEAL

transitive verb

1

: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold

2

: to make viscid or curdled : coagulate

3

: to make rigid, fixed, or immobile

intransitive verb

: to become congealed : solidify

— con·geal·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of CONGEAL

1. The gravy began to congeal in the pan.
2. <the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures>

Origin of CONGEAL

Middle English congelen, from Middle French congeler, from Latin congelare, from com- + gelare to freeze — more at cold

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONGEAL

Synonyms: concrete, harden, firm (up), freeze, indurate, set, solidify

Antonyms: liquefy (also liquify), soften

Related Words: cake, callus, encrust (also incrust); clot, coagulate, gel, gelate, gelatinize, jell, jelly, stiffen, thicken; calcify, crystallize (also crystalize), ossify, petrify, rigidify; anneal, case-harden, temper

Near Antonyms: deliquesce, dissolve, flux, fuse, melt, smelt, thaw, unfreeze

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with CONGEAL

aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel