distills
|dis/till|
/dɪˈstɪl/
(distill)
purify or extract essence
Etymology
'distill' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'distillare', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'stillare' meant 'to drip'.
'distill' changed from Middle English 'distillen' (from Old French 'destiller') and eventually became the modern English word 'distill'.
Initially, it meant 'to let fall in drops' (literally to drip), but over time it evolved to mean 'to separate and purify (a liquid) by heating and condensation' and figuratively 'to extract the essential elements'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present form of 'distill'.
She distills lavender into essential oil every summer.
Synonyms
Verb 2
to purify or separate (a liquid) by heating it to form vapor and then condensing the vapor to obtain the liquid again (to subject to distillation).
The plant distills seawater to produce fresh drinking water.
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Verb 3
to extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of something; to reduce to a concentrated form.
He distills the complex report into three main points for the board.
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Verb 4
(archaic) To fall in drops; to let fall in drops.
The cold stone distills moisture at dawn. (archaic usage)
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Last updated: 2026/01/04 01:23