Baste Definition

bāst

basted, bastes, basting

verb

basted, bastes, basting

To sew loosely with large running stitches so as to hold together temporarily.

American Heritage

To sew with long, loose stitches so as to keep the parts together until properly sewn; tack.

Webster's New World

To moisten (meat, for example) periodically with a liquid, such as melted butter or a sauce, especially while cooking.

American Heritage

To moisten (meat) with melted butter, drippings, etc. during roasting.

Webster's New World

To beat vigorously; thrash.

Basted the attacker with a club.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Baste

Perhaps from the cookery sense of baste or from some Scandinavian source. Compare Old Norse beysta (“to beat, thresh”) (whence Danish børste (“to beat up”)). Compare also Swedish basa (“to beat with a rod, to flog”) and Swedish bösta (“to thump”)

From Wiktionary
Probably of Scandinavian origin Old Norse beysta bhau- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English basten from Old French bastir of Germanic origin

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French bastir (“build, construct, sew up (a garment)”).

From Wiktionary
Unknown, possibly from Old French basser (“moisten, soak”).

From Wiktionary
Middle English basten

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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