Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having transformed from a liquid state into a soft, semi-solid, or solid mass: This describes the process where a liquid, especially a dairy product like milk, thickens and forms lumps or a solid mass, often due to the action of acids, enzymes, or bacteria.
   • Coagulated; clotted: Used to describe substances where particles have come together to form a thick, lumpy consistency.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The recipe called for curdled milk, which is also known as clabbered milk.
  • She poured out the curdled cream, as it had spoiled.
  • The sauce separated and became curdled, ruining the dish's texture.

Advanced Usage

• "to curdle" (verb): The process of becoming curdled.
  • The lemon juice will curdle the milk if you add it directly.
• Figurative Use: Can describe a situation or emotion that has soured or turned bad.
  • His smile curdled into a grimace of disgust.
  • The festive mood curdled after the bad news arrived.

Variants and Related Words

• Curdle (verb): To cause or undergo curdling.
  • The heat caused the custard to curdle.
• Curd (noun): The solid part of coagulated milk, or a similar substance.
  • Cheese is made from pressed milk curds.
• Curdy (adjective): Having the texture or appearance of curds.
  • The mixture had a curdy consistency.

Synonyms

• Coagulated: Changed to a solid or semi-solid state.
• Clotted: Formed into thick lumps.
• Congealed: Solidified, especially from a liquid state.
• Soured: Turned acidic or bad (often related to milk).

Antonyms

• Liquid: In a flowing state.
• Smooth: Having an even, unclotted consistency.
• Fresh: Not spoiled or coagulated (especially for milk).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Make one's blood curdle: To cause extreme fear or horror.
  • The ghost story was so terrifying it made my blood curdle.
• Curdle the blood: Same as above; to horrify.
  • The sight of the accident was enough to curdle the blood.

Adjective

1. transformed from a liquid into a soft semisolid or solid mass
   • coagulated blood
   • curdled milk
   • grumous blood