Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Roast?

\Roast\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Roasted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Roasting}.] [OE. rosten, OF. rostir, F. r[^o]tir; of German origin; cf. OHG. r[=o]sten, G. r["o]sten, fr. OHG. r[=o]st, r[=o]sta, gridiron, G. rost; cf. AS. hyrstan to roast.] 1. To cook by exposure to radiant heat before a fire; as, to roast meat on a spit, or in an oven open toward the fire and having reflecting surfaces within; also, to cook in a close oven. 2. To cook by surrounding with hot embers, ashes, sand, etc.; as, to roast a potato in ashes. In eggs boiled and roasted there is scarce difference to be discerned. --BAcon. 3. To dry and parch by exposure to heat; as, to roast coffee; to roast chestnuts, or peanuts. 4. Hence, to heat to excess; to heat violently; to burn. ``Roasted in wrath and fire.'' --Shak. 5. (Metal.) To dissipate by heat the volatile parts of, as ores. 6. To banter severely. [Colloq.] --Atterbury.
\Roast\, v. i. 1. To cook meat, fish, etc., by heat, as before the fire or in an oven. He could roast, and seethe, and broil, and fry. --Chaucer. 2. To undergo the process of being roasted.
\Roast\, n. That which is roasted; a piece of meat which has been roasted, or is suitable for being roasted. A fat swan loved he best of any roost [roast]. --Chaucer. {To rule the roast}, to be at the head of affairs. ``The new-made duke that rules the roast.''
\Roast\, a. [For roasted.] Roasted; as, roast beef.