The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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macerate

verb

/ˈmæs əˌreɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of macerate

To soak a substance in liquid, causing it to become soft and break down.
"The chef instructed us to macerate the berries to bring out their flavor."

Detailed meaning of macerate

This can be done intentionally for cooking or medicinal purposes, such as macerating fruit to make jam or macerating herbs to make a tincture. Maceration can also happen unintentionally, such as when skin becomes waterlogged and wrinkled after soaking in water for an extended period. In biology, maceration is the process of separating out specific parts of a tissue or organ by soaking it in a solution, which breaks down the connective tissue holding it together.

Example sentences containing macerate

1. She decided to macerate the strawberries for the dessert.
2. The chef instructed me to macerate the herbs in olive oil.
3. Let the fruits macerate in the wine for a few hours.
4. The recipe called for the meat to macerate in marinade overnight.
5. He used a muddler to macerate the mint leaves for the cocktail.
6. The vinegar will macerate the vegetables, enhancing their flavor.

History and etymology of macerate

The verb 'macerate' has a flavorful etymology rooted in Latin. It can be traced back to the Latin word 'macerare,' which meant 'to make soft' or 'to soak.' This Latin term was associated with the process of softening or breaking down a substance by soaking it in a liquid. Over time, 'macerate' made its way into English and retained its original sense of causing something to become soft and break down through soaking. In culinary contexts, for instance, maceration often involves soaking fruits in liquids such as wine or sugar syrup to enhance their flavors and soften their texture. The etymology of 'macerate' thus reflects its historical connection to the transformative process of soaking and softening substances, whether for culinary, medicinal, or other purposes.

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Further usage examples of macerate

1. The berries will macerate in sugar to make a delicious syrup.
2. You can macerate the dried mushrooms to rehydrate them.
3. The process of making sangria involves macerating fruit in wine.
4. She needed to macerate the tea leaves before brewing.
5. The goal is to macerate the garlic to release its aroma.
6. To make jam, you must macerate the fruit with sugar.
7. The chef demonstrated how to macerate the cherries for the sauce.
8. The secret to the sauce is to macerate the tomatoes.
9. He plans to macerate the herbs in oil for a savory infusion.
10. We will macerate the herbs and spices to create a flavorful paste.
11. The recipe suggests you macerate the fruit with brandy.
12. The fruits need to macerate in the syrup for a while.
13. Macerate the herbs in vinegar to make a tangy dressing.
14. You should macerate the ingredients to extract their essence.
15. The fruit had been left out in the sun for too long and had started to macerate and soften.
16. The patient was advised to macerate his feet in warm water to soothe his blisters.