Glutinous

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɡluːtɪnəs/

Definitions

1. Sticky or gluey in texture, having a thick and adhesive consistency like certain types of rice or other starchy substances
2. Having a sticky, thick, and adhesive quality, often used to describe certain food items like rice or other starchy materials
3. Having a viscous and sticky texture that resembles adhesives or certain starches commonly found in culinary ingredients

Etymology: "Glutinous" comes from Latin "glūtinōsus," meaning sticky or gluey, built on "glūten," the Latin word for glue. The Latin noun itself is ancient, and its root is linked to the idea of gluing things together, which is why the sticky sense sits at the heart of the word's history. The English adjective is a straightforward formation: "gluten," borrowed from Latin as a term for a sticky substance, plus the suffix "-ous," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "full of" or "having the quality of." So the word literally means "full of gluten" or "having gluten's stickiness." That is why it describes foods like rice or dough that become tacky when cooked or mixed. The word's sense has stayed remarkably close to its origin. Where many English words drift far from their Latin roots, "glutinous" still describes exactly the thing its root names: something that clings, thickens, and holds together like glue.

Synonyms: sticky, viscous, gummy

Antonyms: dry, brittle