toast
toast
UK[təʊst]US[toʊst]
n
sliced bread that has been browned by heat
n
a call to drink to someone's health or in their honor; the person or thing so honored
v
to brown (bread, etc.) by heat
v
to drink to the health or in honor of (someone or something)
Etymology
the word "toast" entered english in the 14th century from the old french "toster," meaning "to roast or grill." this french term derived from the latin verb "tostare," a frequentative form of "torrēre," meaning "to parch or scorch." the latin root connects back to the proto-indo-european ters-, "to dry." the modern culinary meaning of browned bread developed directly from this sense of drying with heat. the social ritual of "drinking a toast" originated in the 17th century from the practice of flavoring drinks with spiced toast, with the honor eventually transferring metaphorically to the person being celebrated.
Analysis
the modern english word is a simplex loanword from french. it does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its current english spelling.
Examples
she had buttered toast and tea for breakfast.
we raised our glasses to propose a toast to the newlyweds.
please toast the bread until it is golden brown.