Pronunciation: [bˈe͡ɪkmiːt] (IPA) 
Bakemeat is spelled with the "bake" root word followed by "meat," meaning a type of meat used in baking. The IPA phonetic transcription for bakemeat is /ˈbeɪkmiːt/, with the stress on the first syllable. The /b/ sound is followed by the long "a" vowel sound represented by /eɪ/, and then the /k/ sound followed by the short "ee" vowel sound represented by /iː/. The last sound is the unvoiced "t" represented by /t/.
Bakemeat is a noun that refers to a type of food that is prepared by baking, particularly a savory dish or a dish consisting of meat. It is derived from the Middle English word "bake" and "meat," which collectively describe the process and main ingredient used in this culinary creation.
Often used in historical contexts, bakemeat can include various types of meat, such as beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, that are combined with various other ingredients, seasonings, herbs, and spices to create a flavorful and often substantial dish. The meat is typically cooked slowly in an oven, allowing it to become tender while developing rich flavors.
Bakemeat is commonly associated with traditional British cuisine, often served as a hearty main course during festive occasions or special family meals. Classic examples of bakemeat dishes include meat pies, such as steak and kidney pie or cottage pie, where the meat is enclosed in a pastry crust and baked until golden and piping hot. Other variations can involve minced meat mixed with vegetables, herbs, and a variety of seasonings.
In contemporary usage, the term bakemeat may be less commonly used than in previous centuries, as individuals now often refer to specific dishes by their names rather than using a generic term. Nonetheless, the term still retains its historical connotations and serves as a reminder of the rich culinary heritage associated with British cooking and the art of baking.
The word "bakemeat" has an interesting etymology. It dates back to the Middle English period, where it was commonly used to refer to various types of cooked or baked foods, especially those made with meat.
The word is a combination of two Old English terms: "bake" and "meat". "Bake" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "bakaną", which means "to bake", and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "bheug-", meaning "to roast" or "to bake". This root is also connected to words in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin "focare" (to bake) and Greek "phōgein" (to roast).
The term "meat" in Old English was used in a broader sense, referring to any edible food.
