■ noun
1》 an odourless, tasteless carbohydrate which is obtained chiefly from cereals and potatoes and is an important constituent of the human diet.
2》 powder or spray made from this substance, used to stiffen fabric.
3》 stiffness of manner.
■ verb
1》 stiffen with ~.
2》 N. Amer. informal (of a boxer) defeat by a knockout.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ily adverb
~iness noun
~y adjective ( ~ier , ~iest ).
Origin
OE (recorded only in the past participle sterced 'stiffened'), of Gmc origin; related to stark .