v. & n.
--v.
1. a tr. cook (food) by dry heat in an oven or on a hot surface, without direct exposure to a flame. b intr. undergo the process of being baked.
2 intr. colloq. a (usu. as be baking) (of weather etc.) be very hot. b (of a person) become hot.
3 a tr. harden (clay etc.) by heat. b intr. (of clay etc.) be hardened by heat.
4 a tr. (of the sun) affect by its heat, e.g. ripen (fruit). b intr. (e.g. of fruit) be affected by the sun's heat.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of baking.
2 a batch of baking.
3 US a social gathering at which baked food is eaten.
Phrases and idioms:
baked Alaska see ALASKA. baked beans baked haricot beans, usu. tinned in tomato sauce. baking-powder a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar, etc., used instead of yeast in baking. baking-soda sodium bicarbonate.
Etymology: OE bacan