distil
UK: dɪˈstɪl | US: dɪˈstɪl
vt. to purify or concentrate a liquid by heating and condensation
vt. to extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of something
vi. (of a liquid) to undergo distillation
The word "distil" originates from Latin destillare, combining de- (down) and stillare (to drip). It originally described the process of liquid dripping down during purification. Over time, it evolved to metaphorically represent extracting the essence of an idea or substance. The spelling simplified to "distil" in British English, while American English uses "distill."
The chemist used a glass apparatus to distil pure water from the solution.
The author managed to distil complex theories into a few clear paragraphs.
Essential oils are often distilled from aromatic plants.
Over centuries, wisdom is distilled into proverbs.
The morning dew seemed to distil slowly from the leaves.