cream
UK[kriːm]US[kriːm]
n
The thick, yellowish-white fatty liquid that rises to the top of milk.
n
A pale yellow or off-white color.
n
A soft, thick substance used on the skin as a cosmetic or for medical purposes.
n
The best part of something.
v
To beat a food, such as butter and sugar, until it is soft, smooth, and creamy.
v
To defeat an opponent decisively.
Etymology
The word 'cream' entered English in the early 14th century from the Anglo-French 'creme', which itself derived from the Late Latin 'chrisma', meaning 'ointment'. This Latin term was a borrowing from the Greek 'chrisma', signifying 'an anointing, unguent'. The semantic journey from a sacred or medicinal ointment to the fatty part of milk is a classic example of meaning specialization and secularization. The Greek root is related to the verb 'chriein', 'to anoint', which is of Proto-Indo-European origin. The modern sense of 'the best part' is a metaphorical extension from the notion of cream being the richest, most desirable portion skimmed from the top of the milk.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. Its core spelling and sound unit 'cream' cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within modern English.
Examples
She poured fresh cream into her coffee.
He applied a soothing cream to the sunburn.
The company's research division is the cream of the industry.