I. ˈmash, -aa(ə)sh, -aish noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English māsc-, māx-; akin to Middle High German meisch mash and probably to Old English mixen dung, dunghill — more at mixen
1.
a. : crushed malt or a meal (as of rye) steeped and stirred in hot water to produce wort
b. : any fermentable mixture from which spirits or alcohol may be distilled
2. : a mixture of ground feeds used either dry or moistened for feeding poultry or other livestock — see bran mash
3.
a. : a mass of mixed ingredients made soft and pulpy by beating or crushing : a soft pulpy mass of something
b. : mess , muddle , mishmash
a mash of stale jokes, bad acting, and dull drama — John McCarten
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English mashen, from mash, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. : to convert into a mash : reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure
mash apples
b. : crush , smash
mashes his hand in an automobile accident — Anthony West
mashed out my cigarette — J.M.Cain
c. South & Midland : to press or drive down especially forcefully
mash down a rivet
2. : to subject (as crushed malt) to the action of water with heating and stirring for the purpose of preparing wort
3. dialect England : to make an infusion of (tea) : steep
intransitive verb
1. : to perform the operation of mashing malt or other grains
2. South & Midland : to apply pressure : press down — usually used with on
mashing suddenly on the brake pedal — William Faulkner
III.
dialect
variant of marsh I
IV. noun
( -es )
Etymology: probably from mash (II)
: a hammer used in breaking stone or mineral
V. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: probably from mash (II)
transitive verb
: to make amorous or flirtatious advances to : flirt with ; also : to speak or signal to (a stranger) amorously : accost
intransitive verb
: to mash a person of the opposite sex
VI. noun
( -es )
1. : a person who courts the affection of another or who is courted : suitor , sweetheart
she's a hot-headed little virago, your mash — Rudyard Kipling
2. : the act of mashing
3. : crush II 6
he's got an awful mash on her
VII. noun
Britain : mashed potatoes