crisp

crisp¹ [krısp] n BrE

a very thin flat round piece of potato that is cooked in oil and eaten cold

→↑chip

American Equivalent: potato chip

▪ a packet of crisps

crisp ²

crisp² adj

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

1¦(hard)¦

2¦(food)¦

3¦(paper/cloth)¦

4¦(weather)¦

5¦(people)¦

6¦(picture/sound)¦

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: crisp 'curly' (10-20 centuries), from Latin crispus]

1.) ¦(HARD)¦

something that is crisp is hard, and makes a pleasant sound when you break it or crush it

▪ She kicked at the crisp leaves at her feet.

▪ He stepped carefully through the crisp, deep snow.

2.) ¦(FOOD)¦

food that is crisp is pleasantly hard or firm when you bite it

= ↑crispy

≠ ↑soggy

▪ a crisp green salad

▪ a crisp, juicy apple

▪ Cook the pastry until it is crisp and golden.

▪ The meat should be nice and crisp on the outside.

3.) ¦(PAPER/CLOTH)¦

paper or cloth that is crisp is fresh, clean, and new

= ↑fresh

▪ a crisp, new five dollar bill

▪ crisp cotton sheets.

4.) ¦(WEATHER)¦

weather that is crisp is cold and dry

≠ ↑humid

▪ The air was fresh and crisp.

▪ a crisp, clear autumn day

▪ The weather remained crisp and dry.

5.) ¦(PEOPLE)¦

if someone behaves or speaks in a crisp way, they are confident, polite, and firm, but not very friendly

▪ Her tone was crisp and businesslike.

6.) ¦(PICTURE/SOUND)¦

a picture or sound that is crisp is clear

= ↑sharp

▪ an old recording that still sounds remarkably crisp

>crisply adv

▪ 'Take a seat,' she said crisply.

>crispness n [U]

crisp ³

crisp³ v [I and T]

to become crisp or make something become crisp by cooking or heating it

▪ Cook the chicken until the skin is nicely crisped.