noun
maceration
mas-uh-RAY-shun/ˌmæsəˈreɪʃən/
The softening of material through prolonged soaking.
The dried fruit softens through maceration in warm water.
Etymology
The action noun built on macerare names softening through soaking. Early English also used it for making the body lean or thin, but the soaking sense reflects the Latin meaning of steeping material until soft.
In context
with cold water maceration you should expect a highly disarticulated skull like this a handful of tiny fragile bones along with the larger cranium and jaw bones make up the skull of birds
More examples
- Overnight maceration in juice softens the berries.
- Maceration makes the plant fibers easier to separate.
- A wet bandage can cause maceration, leaving the skin soft and white.
Forms
maceration
macerate verb — To soften material by prolonged soaking.