Macerate

/ˈmæsəreɪt/
verb

To soften or separate into parts by soaking in liquid.

You can macerate the dried fruit in juice before adding it to the cake mix.
Visual representation of "macerate" - To soften or separate into parts by soaking in liquid

Often appears as...

  • macerate in wine
  • macerate fruits
verb

To cause to waste away by not eating enough or to weaken someone's resistance or will.

Fevers and dysentery macerated many sailors during long sea voyages in the past.
Visual representation of "macerate" - To cause to waste away by not eating enough or to weaken someone's resistance or will

Often appears as...

  • macerate the body
  • macerate the spirit

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

verb

To soften or separate into parts by soaking in liquid.

You can macerate the dried fruit in juice before adding it to the cake mix.
Visual representation of "macerate" - To soften or separate into parts by soaking in liquid

Often appears as...

  • macerate in wine
  • macerate fruits
verb

To cause to waste away by not eating enough or to weaken someone's resistance or will.

Fevers and dysentery macerated many sailors during long sea voyages in the past.
Visual representation of "macerate" - To cause to waste away by not eating enough or to weaken someone's resistance or will

Often appears as...

  • macerate the body
  • macerate the spirit

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "macerate"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Usage

Often used in a culinary context to describe softening or flavor enhancement of ingredients through liquid.

Illustration for Culinary Usage
Let's macerate these strawberries in sugar and balsamic for the dessert.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Time-Dependent

The process takes time, from several hours to overnight, to achieve the desired effect.

Illustration for Time-Dependent
For best results, macerate the apricots in the syrup overnight.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Texture Change

Macerating can change the texture, making items more pliable or easier to combine with other ingredients.

Illustration for Texture Change
Macerate the peel in orange juice to soften it for the marmalade.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Usage

Often used in a culinary context to describe softening or flavor enhancement of ingredients through liquid.

Illustration for Culinary Usage
Let's macerate these strawberries in sugar and balsamic for the dessert.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Time-Dependent

The process takes time, from several hours to overnight, to achieve the desired effect.

Illustration for Time-Dependent
For best results, macerate the apricots in the syrup overnight.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Texture Change

Macerating can change the texture, making items more pliable or easier to combine with other ingredients.

Illustration for Texture Change
Macerate the peel in orange juice to soften it for the marmalade.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Usage

Often used in a culinary context to describe softening or flavor enhancement of ingredients through liquid.

Illustration for Culinary Usage
Let's macerate these strawberries in sugar and balsamic for the dessert.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Time-Dependent

The process takes time, from several hours to overnight, to achieve the desired effect.

Illustration for Time-Dependent
For best results, macerate the apricots in the syrup overnight.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Texture Change

Macerating can change the texture, making items more pliable or easier to combine with other ingredients.

Illustration for Texture Change
Macerate the peel in orange juice to soften it for the marmalade.
Visual representation of the word "Macerate"

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