broil

¹

[broil]

verb (used with object)

1. to cook by direct heat, as on a gridiron over the heat or in an oven under the heat; grill.

   to broil a steak.

2. to scorch; make very hot.

verb (used without object)

1. to be subjected to great heat; become broiled.

2. to burn with impatience, annoyance, etc.

noun

1. the act or state of broiling; state of being broiled.

2. something broiled, especially meat.

   She ordered a beef broil and salad.

broil

²

[broil]

noun

1. an angry quarrel or struggle; disturbance; tumult.

   a violent broil over who was at fault.

verb (used without object)

1. to quarrel; brawl.

broil

¹

/ brɔɪl /

verb

1. Usual equivalent (in Britain and other countries): grill. to cook (meat, fish, etc) by direct heat, as under a grill or over a hot fire, or (of meat, fish, etc) to be cooked in this way

2. to become or cause to become extremely hot

3. (intr) to be furious

noun

1. the process of broiling

2. something broiled

broil

²

/ brɔɪl /

noun

1. a loud quarrel or disturbance; brawl

verb

1. (intr) to brawl; quarrel

Other Word Forms

• broilingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of broil¹

1300–50; Middle English brulen, brolyn, broillen < Anglo-French bruill ( i ) er, broil ( l ) er, Old French brusler, brul ( l ) er to burn ( French brûler ), a conflation of the verbs represented by Old French bruir to burn (< Frankish *brōjan; compare Middle High German brü ( ej ) en, German brühen to scald) and usler < Latin ustulāre to scorch

Origin of broil²

1400–50; late Middle English broylen to present in disorder, quarrel < Anglo-French, Old French broiller to jumble together < Gallo-Romance *brodiculāre, equivalent to *brod- (< Germanic; broth, brewis ) + Late Latin -iculāre v. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of broil¹

C14: from Old French bruillir to burn, of uncertain origin

Origin of broil²

C16: from Old French brouiller to mix, from breu broth; see _brewis , _brose

Example Sentences

Toss it with fresh lobster chunks, enrobe cutlets with hollandaise and bread crumbs before frying, or make the most luscious broiled oysters you've ever had.

From Salon

Beitchman recommended tossing them with olive oil, salt and pepper before laying them on a sheet pan and broiling them.

From Salon

In July, El Sobrante managers informed the South Coast Air Quality Management District that a chemical reaction brewing inside the landfill was causing broiling temperatures and producing toxic sulfur pollution, according to air district records.

From Los Angeles Times

For nearly two years, Chiquita Canyon had been struggling to handle the fallout from a rare chemical reaction that caused broiling temperatures to break out deep underground in a closed portion of the landfill.

From Los Angeles Times

The broiling temperatures have affected a roughly 30-acre area, where putrid gases and hazardous liquids have burst through the surface of the landfill.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• roast 
• sear