1. (

• macerate ,

) separate into constituents by soaking ;

2. (

• macerate ,

) become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking; "the tissue macerated in the water" ;

3. (

• macerate ,

) soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result; "macerate peaches"; "the gizzards macerates the food in the digestive system" ;

4. (

• waste ,
• emaciate ,
• macerate ,

) cause to grow thin or weak; "The treatment emaciated him" ;