Crust Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
crust
[krสst ]
Definitions
pizza topping
The outer layer of a pizza, typically made of dough and baked to a crispy texture. It serves as the base for various toppings such as sauce, cheese, and vegetables.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| crust |
Typically refers to the hard outer surface of bread or the outermost layer of a planet, such as the Earth's crust. It can also describe the hardened surface layer of other substances.
|
| outer layer |
Refers to the topmost layer of an object, often used in a scientific context to describe layers of materials or organisms.
|
| shell |
Typically denotes a hard, protective outer layer found in nature, like the shells of eggs, nuts, or sea creatures. It can also be used metaphorically to suggest a protective layer or barrier.
|
| covering |
Used when talking about a layer that completely or partially covers something. This term is very general and can be used in a wide range of contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- The crust of the pizza was perfectly crispy.
- She prefers thin crust pizza over deep dish.
geology
The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rock. It is divided into continental and oceanic crust, and is constantly moving due to tectonic plate activity.
Synonyms
Earth's surface, crustal layer, lithosphere.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| crust |
Like the previous one, it refers to the outer layer but can be used in different fields, such as food or geology. Here, it might be repeated to emphasize the same meaning as the first in certain contexts.
|
| Earth's surface |
This is a broad term used to describe the outermost layer of the planet where we live and includes land, oceans, and other visible features.
|
| crustal layer |
This term is more specific and usually used in scientific and geological contexts to refer to the Earth's outermost solid layer.
|
| lithosphere |
This term is used in geological and scientific contexts to refer to the rigid outer layer of the Earth, encompassing both the crust and the upper mantle.
|
Examples of usage
- The crust of the Earth is relatively thin compared to the other layers.
- Volcanic activity is often associated with movements in the Earth's crust.
baking
To form a hard outer layer on something through the process of baking. It can refer to bread, pies, or other baked goods.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| crust |
As a verb, used less commonly, it means to cover something with a hard outer layer.
|
| form a crust |
The process of developing a hard outer layer, can be used in cooking or to describe natural processes.
|
| bake |
The process of cooking food using dry heat, typically in an oven.
|
| harden |
To become solid or more firm, can apply to materials and abstract concepts like feelings.
|
Examples of usage
- She loves the smell of freshly baked bread as it crusts in the oven.
- The pie will crust over with a golden brown color when it's ready.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Culinary Arts
- A perfect crust is crucial in baking; it helps lock in moisture and flavor inside bread and pastries.
- Different cultures have unique types of crusts, such as the flaky pastry in French tarts or the deep-dish crust in Chicago-style pizza.
- In bread-making, crust development is influenced by baking temperature and steam, affecting taste and texture.
Science
- In geology, the Earthโs crust is the outermost layer, consisting of solid rock and minerals.
- The planet's crust determines landscape features like mountains, valleys, and ocean floors.
- Plate tectonics describes how these crustal pieces move and interact, leading to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Pop Culture
- The phrase 'pizza crust' often sparks debates on preferences, whether thick and chewy or thin and crispy.
- Crusts are sometimes featured in popular movies as symbols of comfort food, like in scenes focusing on homemade pies.
- In video games, characters often interact with crusty surfaces in creative survival scenarios involving cooking.
Literature
- In stories and poems, crusts symbolize protection and the idea of keeping something precious safe inside.
- Authors may use the imagery of crusts to depict harshness in life, contrasting with soft and tender inner thoughts or feelings.
- Children's books often rely on crust imagery to teach about textures and food, enhancing both learning and engagement.
Origin of 'crust'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'crust' comes from the Latin word 'crusta,' meaning 'hard surface'.
- Historically, crusts were often made thicker to protect the surrounding filling, especially in pies.
- In the 14th century, the word was used to describe not just bread, but also any hard outer layer.
The word 'crust' originated from the Latin word 'crustฤre', meaning 'to encrust'. In Old English, 'crust' referred to the hard outer layer of bread formed during baking. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the outer layer of various foods and the Earth's surface. The use of 'crust' in the context of pizza became popular in the 20th century with the rise of pizzerias and the variety of crust options available.
See also: crustacean.