MACERATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 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)

Present simple: I / you / we / they macerate    ... he / she / it macerates   
Past simple: macerated   
Past participle: macerated   
-ing form: macerating   

Sense 1

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)

Verb group:

macerate (become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 2

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)

Verb group:

macerate (separate into constituents by soaking)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

macerative (accompanied by or characterized by maceration)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

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

Derivation:

maceration (softening due to soaking or steeping)

Sense 4

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

Derivation:

maceration (extreme leanness (usually caused by starvation or disease))

 Context examples 

Substance intended for external application made of such materials and of such consistency as to adhere to the skin and attach to a dressing; plasters are intended to afford protection and support and/or to furnish an occlusion and macerating action and to bring medication into close contact with the skin.

(Plaster Dosage Form, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)