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 verb1: to cause to waste away by or as if by excessive fasting2: 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