cream of tartar

noun

a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C ₄ H ₅ KO ₆ , used chiefly as an ingredient in baking powders and in galvanic tinning of metals.

Also called potassium bitartrate, potassium acid tartrate.

Compare tartar (def 3).

Origin

1655-65

Examples from the web for cream of tartar

Meanwhile, beat egg whites to soft peaks with cream of tartar in electric mixer.
Beat whites with cream of tartar and salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks.
Meanwhile, beat whites with a pinch of salt in bowl of mixer until foamy, then beat in cream of tartar.
The somber science of heating flour and water and cream of tartar prevented us from gazing out the ivy-shaded windows.
Rust stains can be removed from porcelain by scouring with cream of tartar.
Aluminum may be brightened by scrubbing with a solution of vinegar, cream of tartar, and hot water.
No other is made from cream of tartar specially refined for it and chemically pure.

British Dictionary definitions for cream of tartar

noun

another name for potassium hydrogen tartrate, esp when used in baking powders