a complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice; an important foodstuff and used otherwise especially in adhesives and as fillers and stiffeners for paper and textiles
"The chef added a slurry made from potato starch to the gravy to give it a rich, thick consistency."
a commercial preparation of starch that is used to stiffen textile fabrics in laundering
"After washing her white tablecloths, she sprinkled some starch over them and ironed the fabric until it was crisp."
A widely diffused vegetable substance, found especially in seeds, bulbs and tubers, as extracted (e.g. from potatoes, corn, rice, etc.) in the form of a white, glistening, granular or powdery substance, without taste or smell, and giving a very peculiar creaking sound when rubbed between the fingers. It is used as a food, in the production of commercial grape sugar, for stiffening linen in laundries, in making paste, etc.
"After adding corn starch to thicken my gravy, I noticed it gave off that distinctive creaking sound when I rubbed a bit between my fingers."
To apply or treat with laundry starch, to create a hard, smooth surface.
"She ironed the collar of her shirt until it was stiff from the extra starch she had applied."
Stiff; precise; rigid.
"Her perfectly pressed suit gave her a starched appearance that seemed to make even her smile look calculated and unyielding."