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. 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.
[ OE bacan ]