curd

[ kurd ]

noun

1. Often curds. a substance consisting mainly of casein and the like, obtained from milk by coagulation, and used as food or made into cheese.
2. any substance resembling this.
3. Also called curd cheese. Chiefly Northeastern and Southern U.S. cottage cheese.
4. the edible flower heads of cauliflower, broccoli, and similar plants.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn into curd; coagulate; congeal.

curd

/ kɜːd /

noun

1. often plural a substance formed from the coagulation of milk by acid or rennet, used in making cheese or eaten as a food
2. something similar in consistency

verb

1. to turn into or become curd

Derived Forms

• ˈcurdy, adjective
• ˈcurdiness, noun

Other Words From

• un·curd verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of curd¹

1325–75; Middle English curden (v.), variant of crudden to crud, congeal; crowd ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of curd¹

C15: from earlier crud, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Rennet, an enzyme naturally present in the stomachs of ruminants, would prompt the milk to coagulate, separating into curds and whey, thus laying the groundwork for modern cheese production.

From Salon

Cutting the gel helps some of the whey, or water, separate from the cheese curd, which is made of aggregated milk and looks like a yogurt gel.

From Salon

Vulto employees reportedly didn’t wash their lower or upper arms before submerging them in whey to stir and break up fresh cheese curds.

From Salon

Times columnists Anita Chabria and Mark Z. Barabak were in Milwaukee and laid off the beer and cheese curds so they could offer you their clear-eyed assessment of Day 3 of the Republican National Convention.

From Los Angeles Times

For $14, you get a pile of fries smothered in white cheddar curds, a sage-heavy brown gravy and a smattering of crispy bacon.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• clotting
• clump
• lump