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mash

verb (1)
\ ˈmash How to pronounce mash (audio) \
mashed; mashing; mashes

Definition of mash

 (Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure
b : crush, smash mash a finger
2 : to subject (a substance, such as crushed malt) to the action of water with heating and stirring in preparing wort

mash

noun (1)

Definition of mash (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a mixture of ground feeds for livestock
2 : crushed malt or grain meal steeped and stirred in hot water to produce wort
3 : a soft pulpy mass
4 British : mashed potatoes

mash

noun (2)

Definition of mash (Entry 3 of 5)

: crush sense 4

mash

verb (2)
mashed; mashing; mashes

Definition of mash (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

: to flirt with or seek the affection of

MASH

abbreviation

Definition of MASH (Entry 5 of 5)

mobile army surgical hospital

The Evolution of Mash

Those shot by Cupid's arrow know that love can spur a desire to hold one's beloved tightly and never let go. Perhaps that embracing feeling of love is why mash, originally a word for an act of squeezing and crushing, became a term for an intense infatuation, or the object of it, in 1870. The more popular crush showed its loving side in 1884, and main squeeze had begun crossing the lips of sweethearts by 1926. Mash itself is not widely used today, but the compound mash note, referring to a love letter, has enjoyed many happy years since its union in 1890.

First Known Use of mash

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1870, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1877, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for mash

Noun (1)

Middle English mash-, from Old English māx-; akin to Middle High German meisch mash

Noun (2)

perhaps from mash entry 1

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More Definitions for mash

mash

verb
\ ˈmash How to pronounce mash (audio) \
mashed; mashing

Kids Definition of mash

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to make into a soft mass

mash

noun

Kids Definition of mash (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a mixture of ground feeds used for feeding livestock
2 : a mass of something made soft by beating or crushing
3 : a wet mixture of crushed malt or grain used to make alcoholic drinks

MASH

abbreviation

Medical Definition of MASH

mobile army surgical hospital

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More from Merriam-Webster on mash

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with mash

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mash

Spanish Central: Translation of mash

Nglish: Translation of mash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mash for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mash

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