| macerate | (v) separate into constituents by soaking |
| macerate | (v) become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking, Example: the tissue macerated in the water |
| macerate | (v) soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result, Example: macerate peaches; the gizzards macerates the food in the digestive system |
| maceration | (n) softening due to soaking or steeping |
| macerative | (adj) accompanied by or characterized by maceration, Example: macerative degeneration of the liver |
| Macerate | v. t. |
| Macerater | n. One who, or that which, macerates; an apparatus for converting paper or fibrous matter into pulp. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Maceration | n. [ L. maceratio: cf. F. macération. ] The act or process of macerating. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| macerative | a. Accompanied by or characterized by maceration. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |