starch

noun

• 1an odorless tasteless white substance occurring widely in plant tissue and obtained chiefly from cereals and potatoes. It is a polysaccharide that functions as a carbohydrate store and is an important constituent of the human diet.
• food containing starch.

• 2powder or spray made from starch and used before ironing to stiffen fabric or clothing.

• 3stiffness of manner or character:the starch in her voice

verb

• 1stiffen (fabric or clothing) with starch: (as adjective starched)his immaculately starched shirt

• 2 informal (of a boxer) defeat (an opponent) by a knockout:Domenge starched Geddami in the first