Definition
Making shallow cuts in the surface of meat, fish, or dough to help with cooking, presentation, or fat rendering. Not to be confused with settling disagreements, though both involve knives.
Example Usage
Score the skin on that duck breast in a crosshatch pattern so the fat renders evenly and gets crispy.
Origin
From Old Norse 'skor' (notch or tally mark)
Fun Fact
Scoring bread dough before baking isn't just decorative—it controls where the loaf expands and prevents random ugly blowouts.
Source: Basic culinary knife techniques
Related Terms
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See “score” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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