toast¹ (tōst)

v., toast·ed, toast·ing, toasts.

v.tr.

1. To heat and brown (bread, for example) by placing in a toaster or an oven or close to a fire.
2. To warm thoroughly, as before a fire: toast one's feet.

v.intr.
To become toasted: This bread toasts well.

n.

1. Sliced bread heated and browned.
2. Slang. One that is doomed, in trouble, or unworthy of further consideration.

[Middle English tosten, from Old French toster, from Vulgar Latin *tostāre, frequentative of Latin torrēre, to parch, burn.]

toast² (tōst)
n.

1. 1. The act of raising a glass and drinking in honor of or to the health of a person or thing.
   2. A proposal to drink to someone or something or a speech given before the taking of such a drink.
   3. The one honored by a toast.
2. A person receiving much attention or acclaim: the toast of Broadway.

v., toast·ed, toast·ing, toasts.

v.tr.
To drink to the health or honor of.

v.intr.
To propose or drink a toast.

[Perhaps from TOAST¹ (from the use of spiced toast to flavor drinks).]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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