baste
/beist/
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To sew loosely with long, temporary stitches: To join fabric layers together temporarily with large, easily removable stitches, typically done before final sewing.
- To moisten (food) during cooking: To pour juices, melted fat, or other liquid over food (especially meat) while it is roasting or baking to keep it from drying out and to add flavor.
- (Archaic/Informal) To beat or thrash: To strike someone or something violently and repeatedly.
Examples of Usage
- Verb (Sewing):
- Before sewing the final seam, you should baste the pieces together to check the fit.
- She basted the hem to see how the dress would look.
- Verb (Cooking):
- Remember to baste the turkey every thirty minutes to keep it juicy.
- He basted the roast with its own drippings.
- Verb (Beating - now rare/informal):
- The old tale described how the hero basted his foe soundly.
Advanced Usage
- "to baste something together": To assemble something quickly or temporarily.
- I just basted the report together for the meeting; it needs more work.
Variants and Related Words
- Basting (noun): 1. The act or technique of sewing with temporary stitches. 2. The liquid or fat used to moisten food during cooking.
- The basting kept the chicken from drying out.
- Use a spoon for the basting.
Synonyms
- For sewing: Tack, stitch temporarily.
- For cooking: Moisten, drizzle, spoon over.
- For beating: Thrash, pummel, clobber, beat.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
(There are no common idioms centered on the word "baste".)
Noun
-
a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric together
Verb
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sew together loosely, with large stitches
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baste a hem
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strike violently and repeatedly
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She clobbered the man who tried to attack her
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cover with liquid before cooking
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baste a roast
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