from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Aerate \A"["e]r*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {A["e]rated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {A["e]rating}.] [Cf. F. a['e]rer. See {Air}, v. t.]
1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid
gas, formerly called fixed air.
[1913 Webster]
His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from a["e]rated
natural fountains. --Carlyle.
[1913 Webster]
2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to a["e]rate
soil; to a["e]rate water.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Physiol.) To expose to the chemical action of air; to
oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize.
[1913 Webster]
4. cause a change by passing air through (of sewage)
Syn: activate
[WordNet 1.5]
{A["e]rated bread}, bread raised by charging dough with
carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the
dough by fermentation.
[1913 Webster]