macerate
/ˈmæs.ə.reɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To soften or break down something by soaking it in a liquid for a long time. In cooking and science, it often means leaving food or material in liquid to draw out flavour, juice, or other substances.
- Macerate the fruit in sugar overnight.
- The herbs were macerated in oil.
- Scientists macerated the sample in water.
- 2.
To make skin soft and wet for too long. This use is common in medical writing, especially for skin that has been exposed to moisture.
- The bandage kept the skin macerated.
- Wet socks can macerate the feet.
- The nurse checked for macerated skin.
Adinary Nuance
Macerate is more specific than soak. Soak is the common everyday word, but macerate suggests a longer or more careful process, often in cooking, science, or medicine. It sounds more formal and technical than words like soften or steep.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ngâm mềm
- Spanish
- macerar
- Chinese
- 浸软
- Japanese
- 浸軟する
- Korean
- 침용하다
Etymology
Macerate comes from Latin macerare, meaning 'to soften' or 'to steep'. It entered English through Medieval Latin and French, first in older and scientific writing.
Common phrases
macerate in liquidmacerate overnightmacerated skinmacerate the fruit
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is macerate a common everyday word?
- No, it is more common in cooking, science, and medical writing.
- What is the difference between macerate and soak?
- Soak is the everyday word. Macerate is more formal and suggests a slower, more careful process.
- Can I use macerate in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a good word for academic, scientific, and technical contexts.
- Does macerate only mean 'soften'?
- Not exactly. It often means soften by leaving something in liquid for a long time.