bain-marie

[beyn-muh-ree, ban-ma-ree]

noun

plural

bains-marie 

1. (in cooking) a receptacle containing hot or boiling water into which other containers are placed to warm or cook the food in them.

2. British.,  a double boiler.

bain-marie

/ bɛ̃mari /

noun

1. a vessel for holding hot water, in which sauces and other dishes are gently cooked or kept warm

Word History and Origins

Origin of bain-marie¹

1815–25; < French, Middle French, translation of Medieval Latin balneum Mariae literally, bath of Mary, reputed to be a Jewish alchemist who devised such a heating technique, and sometimes identified with Moses' sister Miriam

Word History and Origins

Origin of bain-marie¹

C19: from French, from Medieval Latin balneum Mariae , literally: bath of Mary, inaccurate translation of Medieval Greek kaminos Marios , literally: furnace of Miriam , alleged author of a treatise on alchemy