n., pl., -lies.
- A soft, semisolid food substance with a resilient consistency, made by the setting of a liquid containing pectin or gelatin or by the addition of gelatin to a liquid, especially such a substance made of fruit juice containing pectin boiled with sugar.
- Something, such as a petroleum ointment, having the consistency of a soft, semisolid food substance.
- A shapeless, pulpy mass: The hero's laser zapped the monster, turning it to jelly.
- Something, such as a body part, that has suddenly become limp or enervated: Her knees turned to jelly when she learned she won first prize.
- A jellyfish.
v., -lied, -ly·ing, -lies. v.tr.
To cause to have the consistency of jelly.
v.intr.
To acquire the consistency of jelly. See synonyms at coagulate.
[Middle English gelee, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *gelāta, from Latin, feminine past participle of gelāre, to freeze.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
