Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

milk-toast

[milk-tohst]
See more synonyms for milk-toast on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. easily dominated; extremely mild; ineffectual; namby-pamby; wishy-washy.
Show More
noun
  1. milquetoast.
Show More

Origin of milk-toast

First recorded in 1815–25

milk toast

noun
  1. toast, usually buttered, served in hot milk with sugar or with salt and pepper.
Show More

Origin of milk toast

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
Can be confusedmilk toast milquetoast
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for milk-toast

Historical Examples

  • “Try and eat some of this milk-toast, mother; it's real nice,” urged Elmira.

    Jerome, A Poor Man

    Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

  • It looked very nice: milk-toast, and baked apples, and poached eggs, and a cup of nice cocoa.

    Nelly's Silver Mine

    Helen Hunt Jackson

  • He was promoted to the milk-toast table, and then to the apple-sauce table.

  • I have my little dish of milk-toast, but I thought the pie would be just right for you young people.

    Hildegarde's Holiday

    Laura E. Richards

  • Then eat slowly a little light food, such as milk-toast or very hot beef-tea.