cre·mate \ˈkrēˌmāt also krēˈ- or krə̇ˈ-; usu -ād.+V\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin crematus, past participle of cremare — more at hearth : to reduce (a dead body) to ashes by the action of fire either directly or in an oven or retort < ritual pits whose contents included charcoal and cremated human bones — Notes & Queries >