baste

1
[ beyst ]
See synonyms for: bastebasting on Thesaurus.com

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

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

Words Nearby baste

Other definitions for baste (2 of 3)

baste2
[ beyst ]

verb (used with object),bast·ed, bast·ing.
  1. to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.

noun
  1. 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 ]

verb (used with object),bast·ed, bast·ing.
  1. to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.

  2. 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. 2024

How to use baste in a sentence

  • Place them in front of a clear fire, baste constantly, and serve with slices of lemon round the dish.

    Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode | Harriet A. de Salis
  • Sure and the artful baste who made it little thought he was going to find us as purty a hiding-place as was ever made.

    Commodore Junk | George Manville Fenn
  • Mike, poor man, regretted very much that he had no gun, as he might perhaps shoot “the baste.”

    Hudson Bay | R.M. Ballantyne
  • "Here, baste these fowls," cried the cook, handing a long-handled spoon to one of the scullions.

    The Court Jester | Cornelia Baker
  • Of course, pork tenderloins will be pretty sure to yield drippings enough to baste with.

British Dictionary definitions for baste (1 of 3)

baste1

/ (beɪst) /


verb
  1. (tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches

Origin of baste

1
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
  1. to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced

Origin of baste

2
C15: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for baste (3 of 3)

baste3

/ (beɪst) /


verb
  1. (tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash

Origin of baste

3
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