curdle

Separate into clumps

Curdle describes liquid—typically milk or cream—separating into solid curds and watery whey.

This happens intentionally in cheesemaking or unintentionally when milk sours or acid is added: The lemon juice curdled the cream.

Figuratively, something that curdles your blood fills you with horror or dread: a scream that curdled my blood.

cheesemaking

rennet

Milk-curdling enzyme complex

wheyLiquid from curdled dairy
caseinDairy phosphoprotein for industry
curdsCoagulated milk solids

cheesecloth · cultures · acidification · fermentation · pasteurization · artisanal · cheddar · gouda · mozzarella · ricotta

coagulation

clot

Coagulated mass

thickenIncrease in viscosity
congealSolidify from liquid state
solidifyMake or become hard

gel · clump · set · lump · coagulum · fibrin · precipitate · separate · agglutinate · coalesce

spoilage

sour

Sharp, biting taste

rotOrganic breakdown process
decayGradual organic breakdown
spoilDamage or overindulge

taint · rancid · off · stale · expired · putrid · ferment · mold · bacteria · contaminate

emotional

blood

Body's oxygen carrier

stomachDigestive organ below chest
dreadIntense anticipatory fear
fearEmotional response to threat

horror · chill · shudder · revulsion · disgust · unease · foreboding · apprehension · disturb · sicken

Categories

go badrot, spoil, decay, mold, sour
going sourrot, spoil, decay, ferment, mold

Opposites

physical state/texture

curdlehomogenize

Make uniformly consistent

homogenise · blend · smooth · emulsify · liquefy

emotional response

curdlewarm

Moderately heated, or friendly

soothe · comfort · calm · reassure · uplift

Phrases

lemon curdSweet-sour citrus custard
cheese curdYoung, unripened dairy solid
bean curdSolidified soy milk
curdled milkCoagulated dairy liquid
blood curdling scream
bean curd skin

Family

curd, curdled, curdling, curdles, uncurdled

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G