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1

starch

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verb \ˈstärch\

Definition of starch

  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to stiffen with or as if with starch

See starch defined for English-language learners

See starch defined for kids

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Examples of starch in a Sentence

  1. He starches the collars of his shirts.

Origin and Etymology of starch

Middle English sterchen, probably from Old English *stercan to stiffen; akin to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark


First Known Use: 15th century

2

starch

noun

Definition of starch

  1. 1 :  a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine

  2. 2 :  a stiff formal manner :  formality

  3. 3 :  resolute vigor

See starch defined for English-language learners

Examples of starch in a Sentence

  1. a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth

15th Century

First Known Use of starch

15th century

starch Synonyms

Synonyms
beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, vigor, verve, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip
Antonyms
lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity
Related Words
animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity; ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal; main, metal, mettle, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength; brawniness, fitness, hardiness, huskiness, sturdiness, virility; health, healthiness, soundness, verdure, wellness
Near Antonyms
indolence, laziness; debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness; enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Phrases Related to STARCH

Related Phrases

STARCH Defined for English Language Learners

1

starch

play
verb \ˈstärch\

Definition of starch for English Language Learners

  • : to make (clothing) stiff by using starch

2

starch

noun

Definition of starch for English Language Learners

  • : a substance that is found in certain foods (such as bread, rice, and potatoes)

  • : a powder or liquid that contains starch and is used to make clothing stiff

STARCH Defined for Kids

1

starch

play
noun \ˈstärch\

Definition of starch for Students

  1. :  a white odorless tasteless substance that is the chief form in which carbohydrates are stored in plants, is an important component of many foods (as rice and bread), and has various uses (as for stiffening clothes)

2

starch

play
verb

Definition of starch for Students

starched

;

starching

  1. :  to stiffen with starch

Medical Dictionary

starch

play
noun \ˈstärch\

Medical Definition of starch

  1. :  a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, has demulcent and absorbent properties, and is used in pharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes

Learn More about starch

  1. See words that rhyme with starch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for starch Spanish Central: Translation of starch Nglish: Translation of starch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of starch for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about starch

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Examples: starch in a Sentence