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Aerate

1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid gas, formerly called fixed air. His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from aerated natural fountains. (Carlyle)

2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to aerate soil; to aerate water.

3. (Science: physiology) to expose to the chemical action of air; to oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize. Aerated bread, bread raised by charging dough with carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the dough by fermentation.

Origin: cf. F. Aerer. See air.