starch
/ˈstɑɹt͡ʃ/ noun B2- A widely diffused vegetable substance, found in seeds, bulbs and tubers, as extracted (e.g. from potatoes, corn, rice, etc.) in the form of a white, glistening, granular or powdery substance, without taste or smell, and giving a very peculiar creaking sound when rubbed between the fingers. It is used as a food, in the production of commercial grape sugar, for stiffening linen in laundries, in making paste, etc. · Meronym: saccharide
- Carbohydrates, as with grain and potato based foods.
- A stiff, formal manner; formality.
- Fortitude.
- Any of various starch-like substances used as a laundry stiffener.
Plural starches
From the library
Of course it wasn’t exactly necessary to starch Matthew’s handkerchiefs!
I shall attend to the ironing and baking beautifully--you needn’t fear that I’ll starch the handkerchiefs or flavor the cake with liniment.”
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