baste

[ beyst ]

/ beɪst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR baste 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.

Nearby words

bastardization, bastardize, bastardly, bastardry, bastardy, baste, bastel house, baster, basti, bastia, bastian

Origin of baste

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)

Definition for baste (2 of 3)

baste

[ 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

1425–75; late Middle English basten, of obscure origin

Definition for baste (3 of 3)

baste

[ 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

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for baste

Oi said Oi had cooked the baste joost roight, an' Oi saw nathin wrong wid the taste av it.
Witty Pieces by Witty People|Various
Baste them with butter, and take them up with the gravy in, sprinkling a little over them before they are quite done.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,|Mary Eaton
Pour it hot on the ham, and baste it every day; it may then remain in the brine two or three weeks.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,|Mary Eaton
Come, girsha, keep basting the mutton, and never heed my boots—turn it about and baste the back of it better.
Going To Maynooth|William Carleton

Once I see him stake his baste, and bring him in dead lame.'
Jack Hinton|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for baste (1 of 3)

baste

/ (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)

baste

/ (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)

baste

/ (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