macerate Hear it!

macerate definition

mac·er·ate (masər āt′)

transitive verb macerated -·at′ed, macerating -·at′·ing

  1. to soften and break down into component parts by soaking in liquid for some time; specif., to soften and break down (food) in the digestive system
  2. to steep (fruit or vegetables) as in wine or liquor
  3. loosely to break, tear, chop, etc. into bits
  4. to cause to waste away or grow thin

Etymology: < L maceratus, pp. of macerare, to make soft or tender, weaken, harass < IE base *māk-, to knead > Latvian màcu, to squeeze

intransitive verb

to undergo maceration; waste away; grow thin

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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