baste

1 of 3

verb (1)

basted; basting

transitive verb

: to sew with long loose stitches in order to hold something in place temporarily

baste

2 of 3

verb (2)

basted; basting

transitive verb

: to moisten (foods, especially meat) at intervals with a liquid (such as melted butter, fat, or pan drippings) especially during the cooking process to prevent drying and add flavor
baste a roast every half hour

baste

3 of 3

verb (3)

basted; basting

transitive verb

1
: to beat severely or soundly : thrash
2
: to scold vigorously : berate

Examples of baste in a Sentence

Verb (3) a tyrannical father who used the dinner hour to baste his children for their many perceived shortcomings basted the thief with a stick while he cried out for help
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Once the butter is foaming baste the fish in the butter. Rebekah Evans, theweek, 19 Sep. 2024 In classic Nashville hot chicken-style, this recipe uses the frying oil infused with spices to baste the crispy florets. Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024 That means you’re equipped to flip burgers, skewer shrimp, baste chicken, and easily scrub your grill afterward all at an easy-to-afford price. Laura Denby, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2024 Slice them lengthwise, baste them with a bit of olive oil, season, and grill them. Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for baste 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English basten, borrowed from Middle French bastir, going back to Old Low Franconian *bastjan, going back to Germanic, "to bind or weave with bast strips" (whence Middle Dutch besten "to tie up, fasten with loose stitches," Old High German, "to bind with bast, mend"), verbal derivative of *basta- bast

Verb (2)

Middle English baisten, of obscure origin

Verb (3)

probably from Old Norse beysta; akin to Old English bēatan to beat

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baste was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near baste

Cite this Entry

“Baste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baste. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

baste

1 of 2 verb
basted; basting
: to sew with long loose stitches so as to hold the work temporarily in place
baster noun

baste

2 of 2 verb
basted; basting
: to moisten with liquid (as melted fat or juices) while roasting
baster noun

More from Merriam-Webster on baste

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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