distillation
UK: ˌdɪstɪˈleɪʃən | US: ˌdɪstəˈleɪʃən
n. the process of purifying a liquid by heating and cooling
n. the extraction of essential meaning or most important aspects of something
The word "distillation" originates from Latin distillare, meaning "to drip or trickle down." The morpheme dis- implies separation, while still refers to droplets (from Latin stilla). The term evolved to describe the process of vaporizing a liquid and then condensing it into purified drops—a metaphor later extended to abstract ideas (e.g., "distilling knowledge").
The distillation of alcohol requires precise temperature control.
Her book offers a distillation of decades of research.
Ancient alchemists used distillation to purify substances.
The lecture was a brilliant distillation of complex theories.
Essential oils are obtained through steam distillation.