roast

Definition

To cook food by heating in an oven or over a fire without covering, resulting in a crisp, possibly even slightly charred appearance.

Etymology

From Middle English rosten, a borrowing from Old French rostir (“to roast, to torture with fire”), from Frankish *rōstijan (“to roast, broil”), from Proto-Germanic *raustijaną (“to roast”), from Proto-Indo-European *rews- (“to crackle; roast”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian rosterje (“to roast”), Dutch roosten, roosteren (“to roast”), German rösten (“to roast”). Displaced native Middle English breden, bræden (“to roast”), from Old English brǣdan, related to German braten (“to roast, grill”).

Example Sentences

• "to roast meat on a spit"
• "to roast a potato in ashes"
• "In eggs boiled and roasted […]there is scarce difference to be discerned."