The word "Starched" is spelled with eight letters and pronounced in [stɑːʧt]. The sound of [aː] represents the long vowel 'a', and the letter combination 'ch' represents the sound /ʧ/, which is a voiceless postalveolar affricate. The final 'ed' represents the past participle of the verb 'starch', which means to stiffen with starch. The word could be easily misspelled as 'Starcht', but it would be wrong because it lacks the final 'ed' to indicate the past tense of the verb.
Starched is an adjective that refers to an item of clothing or fabric that has been treated with starch or that has a stiff, crisp, and rigid texture as a result of being starched. Starch, a powdery substance derived from plants such as potatoes or corn, is commonly used in laundry to stiffen and add structure to textiles, particularly shirts, blouses, collars, and cuffs.
When fabrics are treated with starch, they undergo a process in which starch granules are evenly dispersed and penetrated into the fibers of the fabric. Once the fabric is dried and ironed, the starch acts as a bonding agent, creating a layer that stiffens the material and gives it a sharp appearance. Starching garments not only results in a crisper look but also increases their resistance to stains and wrinkles.
Starched fabrics are often associated with formalwear, military uniforms, or professional attire. They are commonly used to achieve a neat, polished, and professional appearance. The rigidity and stiffness of starched clothing help maintain a structured shape throughout the day.
The term "starched" can also be used figuratively to describe a person's behavior or demeanor as excessively formal, rigid, or restrained. It portrays an individual who adheres strictly to rules, protocols, or social conventions, often lacking flexibility or spontaneity.
Stiffened with starch; precise; stiff.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "starched" comes from the noun "starch", which has its etymology from the Old English word "stercan" or "starcian", meaning "to stiffen". This Old English word can be traced back further to the Proto-Germanic word "*starkjaną". The noun "starch" refers to a substance used to stiffen fabrics and is derived from the verb "starch", indicating the action of applying that substance to clothes. Over time, the verb form became "starched", describing the state of being stiffened with starch.