distill
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 vaporization and condensation
distill = dis<apart> + still<drop>
- dis-: Prefix meaning "apart" or "away," from Latin dis-.
- still: Root meaning "drop," from Latin stillare (to drip).
Etymology Origin:
The word "distill" originates from Latin destillare (to drip down), combining de- (down) and stillare (to drip). Over time, the prefix shifted to dis- in Old French (distiller), retaining the core idea of separating liquids drop by drop through evaporation and condensation. This process metaphorically extends to abstract concepts like extracting essential knowledge.
The chemist used a glass apparatus to distill pure water from the solution.
Great writers can distill complex ideas into simple, powerful sentences.
This machine distills alcohol by boiling and cooling the fermented liquid.
Over centuries, monks distilled herbal remedies using traditional methods.
The report distills years of research into ten key findings.