Definition of starch
transitive verb
:to stiffen with or as if with starch
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Examples of starch in a Sentence
He starches the collars of his shirts.
Recent Examples of starch from the Web
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Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez (Gilbert Melendez’s wife) just starched her opponent in her MMA debut. #
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His search for something else to use summoned memories of the gooey liquid his mother had used to starch the collars of his father’s shirts.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'starch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of starch
Middle English sterchen, probably from Old English *stercan to stiffen; akin to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark
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, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
:a stiff formal manner :formality
3
:resolute vigor
Examples of starch in a Sentence
a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth
Recent Examples of starch from the Web
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Food exchanges: 1 1 / 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 / 2 fat.
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Dr. Kellogg baked his dough at extremely high heat to break down starch contained in the grain into the simple sugar dextrose.
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Keep your favorite pair from stretching out by washing and machine-drying jeans every two wears, or spray the insides with starch, then iron for a stiffer look.
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Now there are bioplastics, made out of biological materials like corn starch.
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In addition to the two starches and cheese, the queso is made with hot and medium salsa, picked jalapeno, and sofrito—a blend of herbs and spices.
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Fruits are a classic accompaniment to many savory dishes, bringing out a sweetness and fullness to many meats and starches.
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The wraps/greens portion of the menu has 10 items in all, the most expensive being the West Coast ($13.50): corn-starch fried shrimp, arugula, iceberg, green onion, cilantro, shaved carrot, sliced avocado and sweet Thai chili aioli.
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Some cooks combine the methods, and dip the chicken in buttermilk, milk or eggs before coating it in seasoned flour or starch.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'starch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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, zipAntonyms
lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidityRelated 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, wellnessNear Antonyms
indolence, laziness; debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness; enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostrationSTARCH Defined for English Language Learners
starch
play
verb
Definition of starch for English Language Learners
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: to make (clothing) stiff by using starch
starch
noun
Definition of starch for English Language Learners
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: a substance that is found in certain foods (such as bread, rice, and potatoes)
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: a powder or liquid that contains starch and is used to make clothing stiff
STARCH Defined for Kids
Definition of starch for Students
: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)
Medical Dictionary
starch
play
noun
\
ˈstärch
\
medical Definition of starch
: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
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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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