mash
(m
sh)
KEY
NOUN:
- A fermentable starchy mixture from which alcohol or spirits can be distilled.
- A mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl.
- A soft pulpy mixture or mass.
- A crushing or grinding.
-
Slang
An infatuation or act of flirtation.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
mashed
,
mash·ing
,
mash·es
- To convert (malt or grain) into mash.
- To convert into a soft pulpy mixture:
mash potatoes.
- To crush or grind. See Synonyms at crush.
-
Chiefly Southern & South Midland U.S.
To apply pressure to; press.
-
Slang
To flirt with or make sexual advances to.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English
mash- (as in
mashfat,
mash tub), from Old English *
m
sc, *m
sc, mx- (in
mxwyrt,
wort); see
meik- in Indo-European roots. V., sense 5, perhaps from Romany
mash,
to entice
