milk

milk / milk/ • n. an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young. ∎  the milk of cows (or occasionally goats or ewes) as food for humans: a glass of milk. ∎  the white juice of certain plants: coconut milk. ∎  a creamy-textured liquid with a particular ingredient or use: cleansing milk. • v. [tr.] draw milk from (a cow or other animal), either by hand or mechanically. ∎  [intr.] (of an animal, esp. a cow) produce or yield milk: the breed does seem to milk better in harder conditions. ∎  extract sap, venom, or other substances from. ∎ fig. exploit or defraud (someone), typically by taking regular small amounts of money over a period of time: he had milked his grandmother dry of all her money. ∎ fig. get all possible advantage from (a situation): the newspapers were milking the story for every possible drop of drama. ∎ fig. elicit a favorable reaction from (an audience) and prolong it for as long as possible: he milked the crowd for every last drop of applause. PHRASES: in milk (of an animal, esp. a cow) producing milk. milk and honey prosperity and abundance. milk of human kindness care and compassion for others.