cheesecake

American  

[cheez-keyk] / ˈtʃizˌkeɪk /

noun

1. Also cheese cake a cake having a firm custardlike texture, made with cream cheese, cottage cheese, or both, and sometimes topped with a jamlike fruit mixture.

2. Also called leg art.  Informal. photographs featuring scantily clothed attractive women.

---

cheesecake British  

/ ˈtʃiːzˌkeɪk /

noun

1. a rich tart with a biscuit base, filled with a mixture of cream cheese, cream, sugar, and often sultanas, sometimes having a fruit topping

2. slang women displayed for their sex appeal, as in photographs in magazines, newspapers, or films Compare beefcake

---

Etymology

Origin of cheesecake

1400–50; 1930–35, cheesecake for def. 2; late Middle English chese kake; cheese ¹, cake

Example Sentences

Save room for dessert—the house-made churro cheesecake isn’t overly sweet and is a great way to end the meal.

From Salon

I was disappointed to miss our traditional family birthday dinner because Mom always picked restaurants that served sophisticated dishes like pomegranate cheesecake and whipped truffle potatoes.

From Literature

“Need I remind you, I don’t know deep-cut Ashkenazi stuff; it’s not my thing. Like, I barely understand kugel. Is it a dessert or a side dish? Is it noodles or is it cheesecake?”

From Literature

For food, families often gorge themselves on special "Party Barrels" bursting with chicken, an array of side dishes and a dessert -- such as ice cream or cheesecake -- stored at the bottom in a separate compartment.

From Barron's

Still on my must-try list: a gingerbread-cranberry cheesecake trifle at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and the gingerbread pancakes at River Belle Terrace.

From Los Angeles Times