MACERATE

 Dictionary entry overview: What does macerate mean? 

• MACERATE (verb)
  The verb MACERATE has 4 senses:

1. separate into constituents by soaking
2. become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking
3. soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
4. cause to grow thin or weak

  Familiarity information: MACERATE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MACERATE (verb)

Meaning:

Separate into constituents by soaking

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "macerate" is one way to...):

separate (divide into components or constituents)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Meaning:

Become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

the tissue macerated in the water

Hypernyms (to "macerate" is one way to...):

soften (become soft or softer)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Meaning:

Soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context examples:

macerate peaches / the gizzards macerates the food in the digestive system

Hypernyms (to "macerate" is one way to...):

soften (make soft or softer)

"Macerate" entails doing...:

douse; dowse; drench; soak; sop; souse (cover with liquid; pour liquid onto)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Meaning:

Cause to grow thin or weak

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

emaciate; macerate; waste

Context example:

The treatment emaciated him

Hypernyms (to "macerate" is one way to...):

debilitate; drain; enfeeble (make weak)

Cause:

emaciate (grow weak and thin or waste away physically)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s somebody