I. ˈrōst verb
Etymology: Middle English rosten, from Anglo-French rostir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rōsten to roast
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cook by exposing to dry heat (as in an oven or before a fire) or by surrounding with hot embers, sand, or stones
roast a potato in ashes
b. : to dry and parch by exposure to heat
roast coffee beans
2. : to heat (inorganic material) with access of air and without fusing to effect change (as expulsion of volatile matter, oxidation, or removal of sulfur from sulfide ores)
3. : to heat to excess
roast ed by the summer sun
4. : to subject to severe criticism or ridicule
films have been roast ed by most critics — H. J. Seldes
5. : to honor (a person) at a roast
intransitive verb
1. : to cook food by heat
2. : to undergo being roasted
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a piece of meat suitable for roasting
2. : a gathering at which food is roasted before an open fire or in hot ashes or sand
3. : an act or process of roasting ; specifically : severe banter or criticism
4. : a banquet honoring a person (as a celebrity) who is subjected to humorous tongue-in-cheek ridicule by friends
III. adjective
Date: 14th century
: that has been roasted
roast beef