milk

milk · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A white liquid produced by female mammals to feed their young, especially cow's milk used as a food and drink by humans.

  2. 2.

    To draw milk from a cow or other animal.

  3. 3.

    The white juice of certain plants.

  4. 4.

    To exploit or extract maximum value from something.

  5. 5.

    Plant-based alternatives to dairy milk.

Phrases & expressions

  • cry over spilled milk — to be upset about something that cannot be undone
  • milk and honey — abundance and prosperity
  • milk of human kindness — kindness and compassion
  • milk someone/something for all it's worth — to exploit thoroughly

Related words

See also: butter, cheese, cream, dairy
Synonyms: dairy

Etymology

From Old English meolc, milc, from Proto-Germanic meluks, from Proto-Indo-European h₂melǵ- ("to milk").