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macerate
mac·er·ate [ mássə ràyt ]


transitive and intransitive verb  (past and past participle mac·er·at·ed, present participle mac·er·at·ing, 3rd person present singular mac·er·ates)
Definition:
 
1. soften by soaking: to soften something by soaking it in liquid, or become soft by soaking in liquid
2. separate by soaking: to make something break up into pieces or into its various parts by soaking it in liquid, or break up in this way
3. reduce or waste away: to make somebody or something thin or lean, or become thin or lean, especially by starvation or fasting


noun  (plural mac·er·ates)
Definition:
 
something produced by soaking: something prepared by soaking in a liquid
[Mid-16th century. < Latin macerat-, past participle of macere "soften"]

mac·er·a·tion [ màssə ráysh'n ] noun
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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