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baste

1
[ beyst ]
/ beɪst /
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See synonyms for: baste / basting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.
to sew with long, loose stitches, as in temporarily tacking together pieces of a garment while it is being made.
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Origin of baste

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English basten, from Anglo-French, Middle French bastir “to build, baste,” from Germanic; compare Old High German bestan “to mend, patch,” Middle High German besten “to lace, tie”; see also bast

Other definitions for baste (2 of 3)

baste2
[ beyst ]
/ beɪst /

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.
to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.
noun
liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking: a baste of sherry and pan juices.

Origin of baste

2
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English basten, baist, of obscure origin; perhaps from Old French, Middle French basser “to soak (bread), moisten (meat)”

Other definitions for baste (3 of 3)

baste3
[ beyst ]
/ beɪst /

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.
to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.
to denounce or scold vigorously: an editorial basting the candidate for irresponsible statements.

Origin of baste

3
First recorded in 1525–35; variant of baist, perhaps from Old Norse beysta “to beat, thrash”; perhaps from baste2 (the ladle for cooking used as a weapon)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use baste in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baste (1 of 3)

baste1
/ (beɪst) /

verb
(tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches

Word Origin for baste

C14: from Old French bastir to build, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German besten to sew with bast

British Dictionary definitions for baste (2 of 3)

baste2
/ (beɪst) /

verb
to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced

Word Origin for baste

C15: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for baste (3 of 3)

baste3
/ (beɪst) /

verb
(tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash

Word Origin for baste

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
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