1. (

• starch ,
• amylum

) a complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice; an important foodstuff and used otherwise especially in adhesives and as fillers and stiffeners for paper and textiles ;

2. (

• starch ,

) a commercial preparation of starch that is used to stiffen textile fabrics in laundering ;

1. (

• starch

) stiffen with starch; "starch clothes" ;