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distil

Distil (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

verb

IPA:

/dɪˈstɪl/

What does distil mean?

To purify or extract something by separating it from other substances through a process of heating and cooling.
"They distil lavender to obtain its essential oil for making perfumes."

Detailed Meaning of Distil

This process involves heating a liquid to create vapor, which is then cooled and collected as a more concentrated form of the original liquid. Distillation is commonly used to produce purified water, alcoholic beverages, and essential oils from plants. It is also used in industry to separate chemicals and compounds for various purposes. The distillation process can vary depending on the substance being distilled and the desired outcome, but it generally involves separating the desired component from other substances through repeated heating and cooling cycles.

Example Sentences for Distil

1. The laboratory technician began to distil the mixture to extract its pure components.
2. The ancient alchemists believed they could distil substances to extract the philosopher's stone.
3. The distillery uses traditional methods to distil the finest whiskey.
4. Distil the water to ensure it's free from any contaminants before using it in experiments.
5. The company claims to distil their spirits using a unique and secret process.
6. To distil the essence of the herbs, heat them gently in water, then cool the mixture.

Origin and Etymology of Distil

The verb 'distil' has its origins in Latin, specifically from the word 'distillare,' which means 'to drip' or 'to trickle down drop by drop.' This Latin term is a combination of 'dis,' indicating separation or apart, and 'stilla,' meaning 'a drop.' Therefore, 'distil' etymologically signifies the process of separating and purifying a substance by allowing it to drip or trickle down in small drops. In modern usage, it refers to the technique of heating a liquid to vaporize it and then cooling it to condense the vapor, a process that separates and purifies substances, such as liquids or essential oils, from other components. The etymology of 'distil' emphasizes the method of achieving purity through the meticulous separation of individual drops or components.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb distil:

contaminate

pollute

refine

adulterate

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

More Usage Examples of Distil

1. The chemist is trying to distil the solution to isolate the active compound.
2. In the mountains, they distil the spring water to produce high-quality bottled water.
3. Distil the liquid slowly to prevent any of the volatile compounds from evaporating too quickly.
4. He uses a homemade apparatus to distil alcohol from fermented grains.
5. During the workshop, the participants learned how to distil essential oils from various plants.
6. The book attempts to distil centuries of wisdom into a few hundred pages.
7. They have developed a new method to distil rare elements from seawater.
8. It's important to distil the brandy at the right temperature to get the perfect flavor.
9. She plans to distil rose petals for a project on natural fragrances.
10. The company is known to distil their gin with a blend of exotic botanicals.
11. To distil the sugar from the beet juice, it must first be heated to break down the cell walls.
12. The process they use to distil the tequila is handed down from generation to generation.
13. He's an expert in traditional methods used to distil medicinal compounds from plants.
14. They distil essential oils from aromatic plants for perfumes.
15. The distillation process helps to distil pure water from seawater.
16. To make whiskey, they distil and age fermented grain mash.
17. Chemists use a distillation apparatus to distil liquid mixtures.
18. Distil the essence of the story to create a compelling synopsis.
19. The goal is to distil wisdom from life's experiences.
20. This technique can distil valuable data from noisy signals.
21. He sought to distil the truth from a web of deception.
22. Distil the key ideas from the complex research findings.
23. To make gin, they distil botanicals with neutral spirits.
24. The chef used a special method to distil rich flavors from herbs.