v. t. | 1. | To make lean; to cause to waste away. |
2. | To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to mortify. | |
3. | To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or without heat; to wear away or separate the parts of by steeping; |
Verb | 1. | macerate - separate into constituents by soaking |
2. | macerate - become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking; "the tissue macerated in the water" | |
3. | macerate - soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result; "macerate peaches"; "the gizzards macerates the food in the digestive system" | |
4. | macerate - cause to grow thin or weak; "The treatment emaciated him" |