soymilk
UK[ˈsɔɪ.mɪlk]US[ˈsɔɪ.mɪlk]
n
A milky liquid made from ground soybeans and water, used as a beverage or in cooking.
Morpheme Breakdown
soy
milk
soy
soybean
milk
liquid food
Etymology
The word "soymilk" is a modern English compound, transparently combining "soy" and "milk." The term "soy" entered European languages in the 17th century, tracing back through Dutch soya and Japanese shōyu to the Chinese word for soy sauce, reflecting the bean's East Asian origin. "Milk," with ancient Germanic roots referring to the nutrient-rich liquid from mammals, is applied here metaphorically. The compound thus logically denotes a plant-based liquid that is produced from soybeans and resembles dairy milk in color, texture, and culinary use, illustrating a common pattern for naming modern food substitutes.
Analysis
Structure: soy (soybean) + milk (liquid food)
soy: From Japanese shōyu (soy sauce), via Dutch and Malay, ultimately from Chinese. Functions as the source material noun.
milk: From Old English meoluc, milc, from Proto-Germanic. Functions as the product noun, describing the liquid's appearance and consistency.
Examples
For breakfast, she prefers a bowl of cereal with unsweetened soymilk.
This recipe for vegan pancakes uses soymilk instead of cow's milk.
The café offers several dairy alternatives, including almond milk and soymilk.