ENGLISH
REFERENCE

whisk

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhwɪsk// UK //wˈɪsk// whisk Archaic

n. a kitchen tool made of wire loops used for mixing things like eggs or cream. You use it to add air to your food to make it light and fluffy.

n. a culinary utensil consisting of a series of wire loops joined at a handle, used for beating or whipping ingredients. Often used to incorporate air into a mixture or to ensure a smooth texture in sauces.


SIMPLE

Use a metal whisk to beat the egg whites until they are stiff.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef grabbed a large whisk to combine the flour and milk into a smooth batter for the pancakes.

COMPLEX

While a fork might suffice for simple tasks, a balloon whisk is essential for achieving the volume required for a proper meringue or a delicate soufflé.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English whisk, borrowed from Old Norse visk, from Proto-Germanic wiskaz, wiskō (“bundle of hay, wisp”), from Proto-Indo-European *weys-. Cognates Cognate with Danish visk, Dutch wis, German Wisch, Latin virga (“rod, switch”), viscus (“entrails”), Lithuanian vizgéti (“to tremble”), Czech věchet (“wisp of straw”), Sanskrit वेष्क (veṣka, “noose”). Compare also Old English wiscian (“to plait”), granwisc (“awn”). The unetymological wh- is probably expressive of the sound; compare the same development in whip and onomatopoeias such as whack and whoosh.

Etymology 2

So called from the rapid action of sweeping the cards off the table after a trick has been won.

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'to use' or 'to beat with'.

Idioms2 entries

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