decant

[dih-kant]

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verb (used with object)

to pour (wine or other liquid) gently so as not to disturb the sediment.

to pour (a liquid) from one container to another.

Origin of decant

1625–35; < Medieval Latin dēcanthāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + Medieval Latin canth(us) spout, rim of a vessel (Latin: iron band round a wheel < Greek kánthos corner of the eye, tire) + -āre infinitive suffix

Related formsde·can·ta·tion

[dee-kan-tey-shuh n] /ˌdi kænˈteɪ ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for decant

draft, empty

Examples from the Web for decant

Historical Examples of decant

Strain, allow grounds to settle, decant, and add one cup of sugar.
American Cookery
Various
Miss Recompense was about to decant some of her preparations.
A Little Girl in Old Boston
Amanda Millie Douglas
When you decant it, be careful not to disturb the settlings at the bottom of the pan.
The Cook's Oracle; and Housekeeper's Manual
William Kitchiner
Suffer them to stand together one hour, then decant the liquor.
Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million
Sarah Josepha Hale
After most of the curd has settled, decant as much as possible of the fat.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants
Edwin M. Bruce

British Dictionary definitions for decant

decant

verb

to pour (a liquid, such as wine) from one container to another, esp without disturbing any sediment

(tr) to rehouse (people) while their homes are being rebuilt or refurbished

Word Origin for decant

C17: from Medieval Latin dēcanthāre, from canthus spout, rim; see canthus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for decant

1630s, "pour off the clear liquid from a solution by gently tipping the vessel," originally an alchemical term, from French décanter, perhaps from Medieval Latin decanthare "to pour from the edge of a vessel," from de- + Medieval Latin canthus "corner, lip of a jug," from Latin cantus, canthus "iron rim around a carriage wheel." Related: Decanted; decanting.