baste1
[beyst]
- to sew with long, loose stitches, as in temporarily tacking together pieces of a garment while it is being made.
Show More
Origin of baste1
1400–50; late Middle English basten < Anglo-French, Middle French bastir to build, baste < Germanic; compare Old High German bestan to mend, patch for *bastian to bring together with bast thread or string (bast bast + -i- v. suffix + -an infinitive suffix)
baste2
[beyst]
- to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.
Show More
- liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking: a baste of sherry and pan juices.
Show More
Origin of baste2
1425–75; late Middle English basten, of obscure origin
baste3
[beyst]
- to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.
- to denounce or scold vigorously: an editorial basting the candidate for irresponsible statements.
Show More
Origin of baste3
1525–35; variant of baist, perhaps < Old Norse beysta to beat, thrash
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
greaseseasondriplardcatchfastentackstitchblisterdrubbeatpelttrouncescoldclobberberateclubrevilebatterlambasteExamples from the Web for baste
Historical Examples
Put it into the oven, and baste it occasionally, while baking, with its own drippings.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Repeat this frequently while it is roasting; after a while you can baste it with its own fat.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Baste it at first with a little salt and water, and then with its own drippings.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
If you baste it with any thing else, or with its own dripping, the skin will not be crisp.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
To baste it with its own dripping will make the skin tough and hard.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
baste1
- (tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Old French bastir to build, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German besten to sew with bast
baste2
- to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced
Show More
Word Origin
C15: of uncertain origin
baste3
- (tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash
Show More
Word Origin
C16: probably from Old Norse beysta
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for baste
v.1
"sew together loosely," c.1400, from Old French bastir "build, construct, sew up (a garment), baste, make, prepare, arrange" (12c., Modern French bâtir "to build"), probably from a Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *bastjan "join together with bast" (cf. Old High German besten; see bast).
Show More
v.2
"to soak in gravy, moisten," late 14c., of unknown origin, possibly from Old French basser "to moisten, soak," from bassin "basin" (see basin). Related: Basted; basting.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper