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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

Words related to baste

grease, drip, lard, season, catch, fasten, stitch, tack, batter, beat, berate, blister, clobber, club, drub, lambaste, lash, maul, pelt, revile

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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