Cheese

Definition

Cheese is a noun that refers to a food product made from the curdled milk of cows, goats, sheep, or other animals, often aged or flavored, and enjoyed in various culinary forms. It is also used as a verb in photography to mean prompting someone to smile by saying "cheese."

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (informal)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /tʃiːz/
• Respelling: CHEEZ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /tʃiːz/
• Respelling: CHEEZ

Etymology

The word "cheese" originates from the Latin "caseus," meaning "cheese." This Latin term evolved into the Old English "cyse" and Middle English "chese." The term has retained its core meaning related to curdled milk products for centuries.

Derivatives

• Cheesemaker (noun)
• Cheesy (adjective)
• Cheeseboard (noun)
• Cheesecake (noun)
• Cheesiness (noun)

Synonyms

• Dairy
• Curd
• Fromage (French term for cheese)

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The term "cheese" is used primarily in culinary contexts to describe a milk-based product, as well as informally in expressions like "say cheese" to prompt a smile. For example, "The cheese platter was diverse," or "She smiled when he said 'cheese' for the photo."

Related Terms

• Curd: The solid substance in milk that forms when it sours, used to make cheese.
• Whey: The liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained in cheese production.
• Dairy: Foods or products derived from milk.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A solid food made from curdled milk: Refers to the product created by coagulating milk proteins, often aged and sometimes flavored.
  • Example: "They enjoyed a variety of cheese with wine."
• A smile-inducing phrase in photography: Informally used to prompt someone to smile by saying "cheese" while taking their picture.
  • Example: "He asked everyone to say 'cheese' before snapping the photo."

Verb (informal)

• To prompt someone to smile: Used colloquially to describe the act of encouraging a smile by saying "cheese."
  • Example: "The photographer cheesed the kids for the family photo."