— macerater, macerator , n. — macerative , adj.
/mas"euh rayt'/ , v. , macerated, macerating .
v.t.
1. to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid.
2. to soften or decompose (food) by the action of a solvent.
3. to cause to grow thin.
v.i.
4. to undergo maceration.
5. to become thin or emaciated; waste away.
[ 1540-50; maceratus (ptp. of macerare to make soft, weaken, steep); see -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 5. shrink, shrivel, fade, wither.