macérer

Senses

1. 1.

   to soak, to macerate

   to immerse and soften in liquid for an extended period

2. 2.

   to steep

   to infuse flavors or essence by prolonged immersion

Examples

• "Les fruits macèrent dans l'alcool depuis une semaine."

  The fruits have been macerating in alcohol for a week.

• "Macérez les raisins secs dans le rhum avant de préparer le gâteau."

  Soak the raisins in rum before preparing the cake.

• "Cette peau macérée par l'eau de pluie s'est ramollie."

  This skin, softened by prolonged contact with rainwater, became tender.

Usage

Common in cooking and gastronomy contexts. The reflexive form se macérer emphasizes prolonged soaking. Can also mean "to soften" or "to waste away" in figurative or medical contexts, though the culinary sense is most frequent in modern usage.