distill
[dih-stil]
- to subject to a process of vaporization and subsequent condensation, as for purification or concentration.
- to extract the volatile components of by distillation; transform by distillation.
- to concentrate, purify, or obtain by or as by distillation: to distill whiskey from mash.
- to remove by distillation (usually followed by off or out): to distill out impurities.
- to extract the essential elements of; refine; abstract: She managed to distill her ideas into one succinct article.
- to let fall in drops; give forth in or as in drops: The cool of the night distills the dew.
Show More
- to undergo or perform distillation.
- to become vaporized and then condensed in distillation.
- to drop, pass, or condense as a distillate.
- to fall in drops; trickle; exude.
Show More
Origin of distill
1325–75; Middle English distillen (< Anglo-French distiller) < Latin distillāre, variant of dēstillāre, equivalent to dē- de- + stillāre to drip
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
infuseextractrefinecondensetrimdroprectifycookcutvaporizerarefyfermentprecipitateexpressevaporateclarifyconcentratepressdribblesublimateExamples from the Web for distill
Contemporary Examples
The Internet was created, it often seems, to distill complex political issues into not-so-complex memes.
"As long as we distill less than around two-hundred liters per month, the government doesn't seem to mind," he says.
Next, Murillo opens a bottle of their Special Edition, which they distill every six months on the solstice.
The Empress added a special clause for land-owning farmers, who were allowed to distill up to three hundred liters.
“I want to see what happens when I distill wild mushrooms that I foraged in the park,” said Grasse.
Historical Examples
How shall I thank you for allowing me, Susie the little, to distill your writings?
Hortus InclususJohn Ruskin
A blade of grass is a mystery, if men would but distill it out.
School Reading by GradesJames Baldwin
Even youth, however, could distill but slender hope from this.
Red MasqueradeLouis Joseph Vance
The product which then commences to distill is known as tailings.
There are a few women who distill loyalty out of declined passion; but not many.
Blue-grass and BroadwayMaria Thompson Daviess
Word Origin and History for distill
v.
also distil, late 14c., from Old French distiller (14c.), from Latin distillare "trickle down in minute drops," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + stillare "to drip, drop," from stilla "drop." Related: Distilled; distilling.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
distill
(dĭ-stĭl)- To subject a substance to distillation.
- To separate a distillate by distillation.
- To increase the concentration of, separate, or purify a substance by distillation.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.