toast2 (tost)

[A particular use of toast1, n., of anecdotal origin, according to the story given in the "Tatler" (No. 24, June 4, 1709). See the second quotation.] 1. A person whose health is drunk, or who is named as the person to whom others are requested to drink; especially, a woman who is the reigning belle of the season, or in toast some other way is specially indicated as a person often toasted; also, anything, as a political cause, the memory of a person, etc., to which a company is requested to drink. I'll take my Death, Marwood, you are more Censorious than a decay'd Beauty, or a discarded Toast . Congreve, Way of the World, iii. 10. It happen'd that on a publick day a celebrated beauty of those times [of Charles II.) was in the Cro -Bath [at Bath], and one of the crowd of her admirers took a gla of water in which the fair one stood, and drank her health to the company. There was in the place a gay fellow, half-fuddled, who offered to jump in, and swore, tho' he liked not the liquor, he would have the toast (making an allusion to the usage of the times of drinking with a toast at the bottom of the gla ). Tho' he was opposed in his resolution, this whim gave foundation to the present honour which is done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been called a toast . Tatler , No. 24 (June 4, 1709). Her eldest daughter was within half-a-year of being a toast . Steele, Tatler, No. 95. 2. A call on another or others to drink to the health of some person named, or to the prosperity of some cause, etc.: often accompanied by a sentiment or motto; also, the act of thus drinking. Let the toast pa Drink to the la , I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the gla . Sheridan, School for Scandal, iii. 3. 3t. One who drinks to exce ; a soaker. When, having half din'd, there comes in my host, A Catholic good, and a rare drunken toast . Cotton, Voyage to Ireland, iii. toast2 (tōst), v. [ The gentleman has. toasted your health. Farquhar , Beaux' Stratagem, iii. 1. Carele . Now then, Charles, be honest, and give us your real favourite. Charles S. Why, I have withheld her only in compa ion to you. If I toast her, you must give a round of her peers, which is impo ible - on earth. Sheridan, School for Scandal, iii. 3. II. in trans . To drink a toast or toasts; also, to propose a toast or toasts. Friendship without Freedom is as dull as... Wine without toasting . Congreve , Way of the World, i. 8. These insect reptiles, whilst they go on only caballing and toasting, only fill us with disgust. Burke, Petition of the Unitarians.