Thickening: meaning, definitions and examples

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thickening

 

[ ˈθɪkənɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cooking ingredient

The process or result of making something thicker or more viscous.

Synonyms

congealment, gelatinization, viscification

Examples of usage

  • The recipe calls for the thickening of the sauce with cornstarch.
  • After the addition of flour, the thickening of the soup was noticeable.
  • She used eggs as a thickening agent for the custard.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

The hardening of a bodily tissue or part, or the process of becoming more firm or solid.

Synonyms

consolidation, solidification, strengthening

Examples of usage

  • The thickening of the artery walls can lead to cardiovascular issues.
  • The thickening of the skin can be a symptom of certain skin conditions.
Context #3 | Noun

general

The act or process of making or becoming thicker in consistency.

Synonyms

condensation, densification, intensification

Examples of usage

  • The thickening of the fog made it difficult to see ahead.
  • The thickening of the plot in the novel kept readers engaged.

Translations

Translations of the word "thickening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espessamento

🇮🇳 गाढ़ापन

🇩🇪 Verdickung

🇮🇩 penebalan

🇺🇦 ущільнення

🇵🇱 zagęszczanie

🇯🇵 濃化 (のうか)

🇫🇷 épaississement

🇪🇸 engrosamiento

🇹🇷 kalınlaşma

🇰🇷 두꺼워짐

🇸🇦 تكثيف

🇨🇿 zahušťování

🇸🇰 zahustenie

🇨🇳 增稠 (zēng chóu)

🇸🇮 zgoščevanje

🇮🇸 þykknun

🇰🇿 қалыңдау

🇬🇪 გასქელება

🇦🇿 qalınlaşma

🇲🇽 engrosamiento

Etymology

The word 'thickening' originates from the verb 'thicken', which dates back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Middle English word 'thiknen', meaning 'to thicken, become dense'. The suffix '-ing' indicates the present participle form of the verb. Over the centuries, 'thickening' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to making something thicker or more viscous, whether in cooking, medical contexts, or general descriptions of increased density or firmness.

See also: thickener.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,790, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.