roast

I. verb Etymology: Middle English rosten, from Anglo-French rostir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rōsten to roast Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. a. to cook by exposing to dry heat (as in an oven or before a fire) or by surrounding with hot embers, sand, or stones <

roast a potato in ashes

> b. to dry and parch by exposure to heat <

roast coffee beans

> 2. to heat (inorganic material) with access of air and without fusing to effect change (as expulsion of volatile matter, oxidation, or removal of sulfur from sulfide ores) 3. to heat to excess <

roasted by the summer sun

> 4. to subject to severe criticism or ridicule <

films have been roasted by most critics — H. J. Seldes

> 5. to honor (a person) at a roast intransitive verb 1. to cook food by heat 2. to undergo being roasted II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a piece of meat suitable for roasting 2. a gathering at which food is roasted before an open fire or in hot ashes or sand 3. an act or process of roasting; specifically severe banter or criticism 4. a banquet honoring a person (as a celebrity) who is subjected to humorous tongue-in-cheek ridicule by friends III. adjective Date: 14th century that has been roasted <

roast beef

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