Main Entry: mac·er·ate

Pronunciation: \ˈma-sə-ˌrāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): mac·er·at·ed; mac·er·at·ing

Etymology: Latin maceratus, past participle of macerare to soften, steep

Date: 1547

transitive verb 1 : to cause to waste away by or as if by excessive fasting
2 : to cause to become soft or separated into constituent elements by or as if by steeping in fluid; broadly : steep, soakintransitive verb : to soften and wear away especially as a result of being wetted or steeped

— mac·er·a·tion \ˌma-sə-ˈrā-shən\ noun

— mac·er·a·tor \ˈma-sə-ˌrā-tər\ noun