Macerate: meaning, definitions and examples

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macerate

[ˈmæsəreɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

cooking

To soften or break down food by soaking in a liquid, typically alcohol or vinegar, before cooking.

Synonyms

marinate, soak, steep.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
macerate	This term is often used in a scientific or culinary context to describe the process of softening or breaking down a material by soaking it in a liquid. It conveys a more formal or technical tone. The botanist had to macerate the plant tissues to study their cellular structure. To make a fruit salad, macerate the berries in a bit of sugar.
marinate	Commonly used in cooking, especially when talking about soaking meat, fish, or vegetables in a seasoned liquid to enhance flavor before cooking. Marinate the chicken in the lemon-garlic sauce for at least two hours. She loves to marinate tofu in soy sauce and spices before grilling it.
steep	Typically associated with the process of soaking solid items, like tea leaves or herbs, in water (usually hot) to extract flavor or nutrients. It is often used in the context of making beverages or herbal remedies. Steep the tea bag in boiling water for five minutes. Let the herbs steep in the hot water to release their medicinal properties.
soak	A general term that can be applied to a wide range of situations involving submerging something in liquid to make it wet, soften it, or clean it. It is commonly used in everyday language. Soak the beans overnight before cooking. After a long day, all I want to do is soak in a hot bath.

Examples of usage

The recipe called for the strawberries to be macerated in sugar overnight.
The chef macerated the meat in red wine before grilling it.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

biology

To soften or separate into constituent parts by soaking.

Synonyms

digest, liquefy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
macerate	Use this term when you want to describe a process where something is softened by soaking it in a liquid for an extended period. This is often used in cooking and science, particularly in reference to breaking down cell structures. To enhance the flavor, you should macerate the strawberries in sugar overnight
digest	This word is suitable for discussing the biological process of breaking down food in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used metaphorically to explain understanding or absorbing complex information. After eating a large meal, it can take several hours for your body to digest the food It took me some time to digest all the information in the report
liquefy	Select this term when you need to describe turning a solid or gas into a liquid, especially through heating or pressure. Common in scientific, technical, and culinary contexts. The heat from the stove will liquefy the butter quickly Scientists managed to liquefy the gases for the experiment

Word

Description / Examples

macerate

Use this term when you want to describe a process where something is softened by soaking it in a liquid for an extended period. This is often used in cooking and science, particularly in reference to breaking down cell structures.

To enhance the flavor, you should macerate the strawberries in sugar overnight

digest

This word is suitable for discussing the biological process of breaking down food in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used metaphorically to explain understanding or absorbing complex information.

After eating a large meal, it can take several hours for your body to digest the food
It took me some time to digest all the information in the report

liquefy

Select this term when you need to describe turning a solid or gas into a liquid, especially through heating or pressure. Common in scientific, technical, and culinary contexts.

The heat from the stove will liquefy the butter quickly
Scientists managed to liquefy the gases for the experiment

Examples of usage

The scientist macerated the plant tissue to study its cellular structure.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Uses

A popular technique in cooking, fruits are often soaked in sugar or alcohol to bring out their flavors before serving.
Macerating strawberries with sugar helps draw out their juices, making them extra sweet for desserts.
This method is also used for marinating meats, allowing flavors to penetrate more deeply.

Historical Origins

The term comes from the Latin word 'macerare', which means 'to make thin or soften'.
In ancient cuisines, soaking grains and vegetables was practiced to enhance digestibility and flavor.
Maceration has been mentioned in cookbooks dating back to the 15th century, showing its long-standing importance in culinary practices.

Science of Cooking

Maceration alters the texture of food by breaking down cell walls, improving mouthfeel.
Enzymatic reactions occur during maceration when fruit enzymes are activated, enhancing flavor and aroma.
This technique often leads to the natural release of sugars, which can result in a sweeter final product.

Literary References

The romantic portrayal of maceration can be found in literature, where it symbolizes the transformation of raw emotions into something beautiful.
In culinary literature, maceration is frequently described as a gentle art of coaxing flavors, almost like a dance between ingredients.
Some writers use the term to emphasize the process of softening difficulties in life, using food as a metaphor for personal relationships.

Pop Culture

Cooking shows often showcase maceration as a simple yet effective technique for flavor enhancement in desserts.
Social media food influencers frequently share macerated fruit recipes, making them trendy and appealing.
The process gained popularity with the rise of homemade craft cocktails where macerated fruits are recognized for adding fresh and vibrant tastes.

Translations

Translations of the word "macerate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 macerar

🇮🇳 गला देना

🇩🇪 mazerieren

🇮🇩 merendam

🇺🇦 мацерувати

🇵🇱 macerować

🇯🇵 浸す

🇫🇷 macérer

🇪🇸 macerar

🇹🇷 yumuşatmak

🇰🇷 불리다

🇸🇦 نقع

🇨🇿 macerovat

🇸🇰 macerovať

🇨🇳 浸泡

🇸🇮 macirati

🇮🇸 bleyta

🇰🇿 жібіту

🇬🇪 დასველება

🇦🇿 islatmaq

🇲🇽 macerar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,783, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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35780 legalise
35781 hectoring
35782 gloomiest
35783 macerate
35784 overworking
35785 pillion
35786 decimating
...