distill

[dih-stil] /dɪˈstɪl/
verb (used with object)
1.
to subject to a process of vaporization and subsequent condensation, as for purification or concentration.
2.
to extract the volatile components of by distillation; transform by distillation.
3.
to concentrate, purify, or obtain by or as by distillation:
to distill whiskey from mash.
4.
to remove by distillation (usually followed by off or out):
to distill out impurities.
5.
to extract the essential elements of; refine; abstract:
She managed to distill her ideas into one succinct article.
6.
to let fall in drops; give forth in or as in drops:
The cool of the night distills the dew.
verb (used without object)
7.
to undergo or perform distillation.
8.
to become vaporized and then condensed in distillation.
9.
to drop, pass, or condense as a distillate.
10.
to fall in drops; trickle; exude.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English distillen (< Anglo-French distiller) < Latin distillāre, variant of dēstillāre, equivalent to dē- de- + stillāre to drip
Related forms
distillable, adjective
nondistillable, adjective
redistill, verb (used with object)
redistillable, adjective
redistillableness, noun
Examples from the web for distill
  • The standard way to do it is to distill the pure compound and measure the temperature at the top of the distillation column.
  • The heat might even be reused to also distill fresh water for local seaside communities.
  • The idea is to take the essence of what they do, and distill it to the hardcore, and work with that.
  • Refinement of petroleum isn't emission free when they distill it either.
  • He also uses his nerdy filter to distill social commentary.
  • That's the problem with trying to distill theory from data alone.
  • If some people distill their seed corn instead of planting it in the spring.
  • And many companies distill their oils to help remove contaminants.
  • Historically, proponents have struggled ineffectively to distill and convey their message in this regard.
  • It seems first to distill the day's memories before separating them into categories.
British Dictionary definitions for distill

distil

/dɪsˈtɪl/
verb -tils, -tills, -tilling, -tilled
1.
to subject to or undergo distillation See also rectify (sense 2)
2.
sometimes foll by out or off. to purify, separate, or concentrate, or be purified, separated, or concentrated by distillation
3.
to obtain or be obtained by distillation: to distil whisky
4.
to exude or give off (a substance) in drops or small quantities
5.
(transitive) to extract the essence of as if by distillation
Derived Forms
distillable, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Latin dēstillāre to distil, from de- + stillāre to drip
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.

distill in Medicine

distill dis·till (dĭ-stĭl)
v. dis·tilled or dis·tilled, dis·till·ing or dis·til·ling, dis·tills or dis·tils

  1. To subject a substance to distillation.

  2. To separate a distillate by distillation.

  3. To increase the concentration of, separate, or purify a substance by distillation.