curdle
English
Etymology
Metathesis of earlier dialectal cruddle, crudle, equivalent to curd + -le (frequentative suffix).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈkɜː.dəl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈkɝ.dəl/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(r)dəl
Verb
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- (transitive, intransitive) To form curds so that it no longer flows smoothly; to cause to form such curds. (usually said of milk)
- Too much lemon will curdle the milk in your tea.
- (transitive, intransitive) To clot or coagulate; to cause to congeal, such as through cold. (metaphorically of blood)
- 1814, Walter Scott, Waverley:
- "Vich Ian Vohr," it said, in a voice that made my very blood curdle, "beware of to-morrow!"
- (transitive) To cause a liquid to spoil and form clumps so that it no longer flows smoothly
- 1836, Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers:
- It is enough,' said the agitated Mr. Slurk, pacing to and fro, 'to curdle the ink in one's pen, and induce one to abandon their cause for ever.'
Derived terms
Translations
to form or cause to form curds
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to coagulate
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to cause to form clumps
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