decant
UK: dɪˈkænt | US: dɪˈkænt
vt. to pour liquid from one container into another, especially to separate sediment
vt. to transfer (people or things) from one place to another, often with care
decant = de<away, off> + cant<to pour, sing>
- de: Prefix meaning "away" or "off" (from Latin de-).
- cant: Root meaning "to pour" (from Latin cantare, originally "to sing," later extended to "pour" via the idea of tilting a vessel, as in a chantry priest pouring wine during rituals).
Etymology Origin:
The word decant originates from Latin decanthare, combining de- (off) and canthus (rim of a vessel). It initially referred to pouring wine carefully from its bottle to avoid disturbing sediment. Over time, the meaning broadened to include any careful transfer of liquids or even abstract things (e.g., "decanting employees into a new department"). The root cant also ties to chant, reflecting a historical link between ritual singing and the tilting of vessels in ceremonies.
She decanted the aged wine into a crystal carafe.
The chemist decanted the solution to remove impurities.
Refugees were decanted from overcrowded camps to safer locations.
He carefully decanted the oil into smaller bottles for storage.
The museum decanted its artifacts to a temporary exhibit space.