cornstarch
UK[ˈkɔːnstɑːtʃ]US[ˈkɔːrnstɑːrtʃ]
n
a fine white flour made from corn, used in cooking for making liquids thicker.
Morpheme Breakdown
corn
starch
corn
grain
starch
stiff substance
Etymology
the word 'cornstarch' is a transparent compound formed from two english words of germanic origin. 'corn', with its proto-germanic root kurną, originally referred to any small seed or grain but became specialized in american english for maize. 'starch' derives from the old english adjective 'stearc', meaning stiff or strong, reflecting the substance's property of stiffening fabrics and, by extension, thickening liquids. the compound logically names the product—a stiffening powder derived from corn. its formation follows a straightforward modern english pattern of combining two nouns to specify a material's source and its nature.
Analysis
Structure: corn (grain) + starch (stiff substance)
- corn: from old english 'corn', meaning "grain, seed". in the american context, it specifically refers to maize. its functional role is the source material.
- starch: from old english 'stearc' (stiff, strong), via a middle english verb meaning "to stiffen". its functional role is the specific substance produced.
Examples
she used a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
cornstarch is a common ingredient in many gluten-free recipes.
the recipe calls for mixing the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot liquid.