verb
curdle
CUR-dul/ˈkɜːrdl/
To form or cause a liquid to form lumps, as when milk turns sour.
Too much heat can curdle the milk in this sauce.
Etymology
The base names a coagulated substance, especially milk's thickened part. Curdle describes milk forming those solid curds rather than remaining uniformly liquid.
In context
This simple reaction is how cheese and paneer are made, separating curds from whey. So, lemon juice triggers a natural chemical change in milk proteins, making it curdle.
More examples
- The milk curdles when I add lemon juice.
- Whisk constantly so the custard does not curdle.
- Small lumps show that the cream has curdled.
Forms
curdle · curdles · curdled · curdling
curd noun — A soft lump formed in coagulated milk.