Curdle

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkɜː.dÉ™l/
• US IPA: /ˈkɝ.dÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)dÉ™l

Origin

Metathesis of Middle English crudle, from an Old English crudan ("to press, drive") via crud.

Full definition of curdle

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) 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.
2. (ambitransitive) To clot or coagulate; to cause to congeal, such as through cold. (metaphorically of blood)
• 1814, Sir Walter Scott, Waverley"Vich Ian Vohr," it said, in a voice that made my very blood curdle, "beware of to-morrow!"
3. (transitive) To cause a liquid to spoil and form clumps so that it no longer flows smoothly
• 1836, Charles Dickens, The Pickwick PapersIt 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

• curdled

Anagrams

• curled