Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

starch up

 - 5 dictionary results
Starch, Soluble, Reagent
Fisher Scientific offers a full line of Organics Chemicals
www.fishersci.com

starch

  [stahrch] ,
Use starch up in a Sentence
–noun
1. a white, tasteless, solid carbohydrate, (C6H1 0O5)n, occurring in the form of minute granules in the seeds, tubers, and other parts of plants, and forming an important constituent of rice, corn, wheat, beans, potatoes, and many other vegetable foods.
2. a commercial preparation of this substance used to stiffen textile fabrics in laundering.
3. starches, foods rich in natural starch.
4. stiffness or formality, as of manner: He is so full of starch he can't relax.
5. Informal. vigor; energy; stamina; boldness.
–verb (used with object)
6. to stiffen or treat with starch.
7. to make stiff or rigidly formal (sometimes fol. by up).
Origin:
1375–1425; (v.) late ME sterchen orig., to stiffen, OE stercean to make stiff, strengthen, deriv. of stearc stark; c. G stärken to strengthen; (n.) late ME starch(e), sterche, deriv. of the v.

Related forms:
starchless, adjective
starchlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To starch up
Starch, Soluble, Reagent
Fisher Scientific offers a full line of Organics Chemicals
www.fishersci.com
Word Origin & History

starch  (v.)
1402, from O.E. *stercan (Mercian), *stiercan (W.Saxon) "make rigid," found in stercedferhð "fixed, hard, resolute" (related to stearc "stiff"), from P.Gmc. *starkijanan (cf. Ger. Stärke "strength, starch"), from PIE base *ster- "strong, firm, stiff, rigid" (see stark). The noun meaning "pasty substance used to stiffen cloth" is first recorded c.1440, from the verb. Fig. sense of "stiffness of manner" is recorded from 1705.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: starch
Pronunciation: 'stärch
Function: noun
: 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 inpharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

starch (stärch)
n.

  1. A naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, and commonly prepared as a white, amorphous, tasteless powder used in powders, ointments, and pastes. Also called amylum.

  2. A food having a high content of starch, such as rice, bread, and potatoes.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
starch   (stärch)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A carbohydrate that is the chief form of stored energy in plants, especially wheat, corn, rice, and potatoes. Starch is a mixture of two different polysaccharides built out of glucose units, and forms a white, tasteless powder when purified. It is an important source of nutrition and is also used to make adhesives, paper, and textiles.

  2. Any of various substances, including natural starch, used to stiffen fabrics.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see starch up on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way