n., v., & adj.
n. 1 a the fatty content of milk which gathers at the top and can be made into butter by churning. b this eaten (often whipped) with a dessert, as a cake-filling, etc. (strawberries and cream; cream gateau). 2 the part of a liquid that gathers at the top. 3 (usu. prec. by the) the best or choicest part of something, esp.: a the point of an anecdote. b an élite group of people (the cream of the nation). 4 a creamlike preparation, esp. a cosmetic (hand cream). 5 a very pale yellow or off-white colour. 6 a a dish or sweet like or made with cream. b a soup or sauce containing milk or cream. c a full-bodied mellow sweet sherry. d a biscuit with a creamy sandwich filling. e a chocolate-covered usu. fruit-flavoured fondant.
v. 1 tr. a take the cream from (milk). b take the best or a specified part from. 2 tr. work (butter etc.) to a creamy consistency. 3 tr. treat (the skin etc.) with cosmetic cream. 4 tr. add cream to (coffee etc.). 5 intr. (of milk or any other liquid) form a cream or scum. 6 tr. US colloq. defeat (esp. in a sporting contest).
adj. pale yellow; off-white. cream bun (or cake) a bun or cake filled or topped with cream. cream cheese a soft rich cheese made from unskimmed milk and cream. cream-coloured pale yellowish white. cream cracker Brit. a crisp dry unsweetened biscuit usu. eaten with cheese. cream-laid (or -wove) laid (or wove) cream-coloured paper. cream off 1 take (the best or a specified part) from a whole (creamed off the brightest pupils). 2 = sense 1b of v. cream of tartar purified and crystallized potassium hydrogen tartrate, used in medicine, baking powder, etc. cream puff 1 a cake made of puff pastry filled with cream. 2 an ineffectual or effeminate person. cream soda a carbonated vanilla-flavoured soft drink. cream tea afternoon tea with scones, jam, and cream.
[ ME f. OF cre(s)me f. LL cramum (perh. f. Gaulish) & eccl.L chrisma CHRISM ]