milk

milk [milk]

n.

[ME < OE meolc, akin to ON mjolk, Ger milch < IE base * melĝ-, to stroke, press out, wipe off, hence to milk (an animal) > Gr amelgein, L mulgere, to milk]

1. a white or yellowish emulsion secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for suckling their young and usually consisting of fats, proteins, sugars, vitamins, and minerals suspended in water

2. cow's milk, or, sometimes, that of goats, camels, etc., drunk by humans as a food or used to make butter, cheese, casein products, etc.

3. any liquid like this, as the juice of various plants or fruits (e.g., coconut milk), or any of various emulsions

vt.

1. to draw or squeeze milk from the mammary glands of (a cow, etc.)

2. to draw out or drain off; extract as if by milking

3. to drain off or extract money, ideas, strength, etc. from as if by milking; exploit

4. to extract juice, sap, venom, etc. from

5. to draw out (information, etc.) as if by milking

vi.

1. to give milk

2. to draw milk

adj.

giving milk; kept for milking [milk cows]

——————

cry over spilt milk

to mourn or regret something that cannot be undone