macerate

[ mas-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, mac·er·at·ed, mac·er·at·ing.

1. to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid.
2. to soften or decompose (food) by the action of a solvent.
3. to cause to grow thin.

verb (used without object)

, mac·er·at·ed, mac·er·at·ing.

1. to undergo maceration.
2. to become thin or emaciated; waste away.

   Synonyms: wither, fade, shrivel, shrink

macerate

/ ˈmæsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to soften or separate or be softened or separated as a result of soaking
2. to break up or cause to break up by soaking

   macerated peaches

3. to become or cause to become thin

Derived Forms

• ˈmacerˌater, noun
• ˌmacerˈation, noun
• ˈmacerative, adjective

Other Words From

• macer·ater macer·ator noun
• macer·ative adjective
• un·macer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of macerate¹

1540–50; < Latin mācerātus (past participle of mācerāre to make soft, weaken, steep); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of macerate¹

C16: from Latin mācerāre to soften

Example Sentences

I also scaled far back on the sugar for the macerated berries, letting the vinegar play a more starring role.

From Salon

To keep the shortcakes from turning soggy, the berries are briefly macerated before baking, which keeps them from weeping into the pastry.

From Seattle Times

I love serving it simply with fresh, roasted, macerated or sauteed seasonal fruit.

From Washington Post

We dressed our version up with macerated, syrupy raspberries and fizzy sparkling water for pizzazz.

From Salon

Its rich culture is macerated by violence, its past traumatized almost beyond belief.

From Washington Post