(1) a semiliquid mixture containing flour or other starch used to make cakes and breads. The gluten development is minimized and the liquid forms the continuous medium in which other ingredients are disbursed; generally contains more fat, sugar and liquids than a dough; (2) a semiliquid mixture of liquid and starch used to coat foods for deep-frying

LABENSKY, SARAH R.; HAUSE, ALAN M.; LABENSKY, STEVEN R.; MARTEL, PRICILLA, ON COOKING: A TEXTBOOK OF CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS, 4th Edition, ©2007. Electronically reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.