Toast (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Toasted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Toasting.] [OF. toster to roast, toast, fr. L. torrere, tostum, to parch, roast. See Torrid.]

1.

To dry and brown by the heat of a fire; as, to toast bread.

2.

To warm thoroughly; as, to toast the feet.

3.

To name when a health is proposed to be drunk; to drink to the health, or in honor, of; as, to toast a lady.

 

© Webster 1913.


Toast, n. [OF. toste, or tost'ee, toasted bread. See Toast, v.]

1.

Bread dried and browned before a fire, usually in slices; also, a kind of food prepared by putting slices of toasted bread into milk, gravy, etc.

<-- now usu. prepared in an electrical toaster. See toaster. -->

My sober evening let the tankard bless, With toast embrowned, and fragrant nutmeg fraught. T. Warton.

2.

A lady in honor of whom persons or a company are invited to drink; -- so called because toasts were formerly put into the liquor, as a great delicacy.

It now came to the time of Mr. Jones to give a toast . . . who could not refrain from mentioning his dear Sophia. Fielding.

3.

Hence, any person, especially a person of distinction, in honor of whom a health is drunk; hence, also, anything so commemorated; a sentiment, as "The land we live in," "The day we celebrate," etc.

Toast rack, a small rack or stand for a table, having partitions for holding slices of dry toast.

 

© Webster 1913.