Definition of mash
2
: to subject (a substance, such as crushed malt) to the action of water with heating and stirring in preparing wort
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mash was our Word of the Day on 04/04/2016. Hear the podcast!
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The Evolution of mash
Those shot by Cupid's arrow know that love can spur a desire to hold one's beloved tightly and never let go. Perhaps that embracing feeling of love is why mash, originally a word for an act of squeezing and crushing, became a term for an intense infatuation, or the object of it, in 1870. The more popular crush showed its loving side in 1884, and main squeeze had begun crossing the lips of sweethearts by 1926. Mash itself is not widely used today, but the compound mash note, referring to a love letter, has enjoyed many happy years since its union in 1890.
First Known Use of mash
13th century
Origin and Etymology of mash
Middle English mash-, from Old English māx-; akin to Middle High German meisch mash
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1577
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearOrigin and Etymology of mash
First Known Use of mash
1877
MASH Defined for Kids
Definition of mash for Students
1
: a mixture of ground feeds used for feeding livestock
2
: a mass of something made soft by beating or crushing
3
: a wet mixture of crushed malt or grain used to make alcoholic drinks
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about mash
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See words that rhyme with mash Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mash Spanish Central: Translation of mash Nglish: Translation of mash for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mash for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mash
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