Dictionary


boil



Pronunciation: (boil), [key]
—v.i.
1. to change from a liquid to a gaseous state, producing bubbles of gas that rise to the surface of the liquid, agitating it as they rise.
2. to reach or be brought to the boiling point: When the water boils, add the meat and cabbage.
3. to be in an agitated or violent state: The sea boiled in the storm.
4. to be deeply stirred or upset.
5. to contain, or be contained in, a liquid that boils: The kettle is boiling. The vegetables are boiling.

—v.t.
1. to cause to boil or to bring to the boiling point: Boil two cups of water.
2. to cook (something) in boiling water: to boil eggs.
3. to separate (sugar, salt, etc.) from a solution containing it by boiling off the liquid.
4. boil down,
a. to reduce the quantity of by boiling off liquid.
b. to shorten; abridge.
c. to be simplifiable or summarizable as; lead to the conclusion that; point: It all boils down to a clear case of murder.
5. boil off, Textiles.
a. to degum (silk).
b. to remove (sizing, wax, impurities, or the like) from a fabric by subjecting it to a hot scouring solution. Also,boil out.
6. boil over,
a. to overflow while boiling or as if while boiling; burst forth; erupt.
b. to be unable to repress anger, excitement, etc.: Any mention of the incident makes her boil over.

—n.
1. the act or an instance of boiling.
2. the state or condition of boiling: He brought a kettle of water to a boil.
3. an area of agitated, swirling, bubbling water, as part of a rapids.
4. Also called blow. Civ. Engin.an unwanted flow of water and solid matter into an excavation, due to excessive outside water pressure.

boil



Pronunciation: (boil), [key]
—n. Pathol.
a painful, circumscribed inflammation of the skin or a hair follicle, having a dead, suppurating inner core: usually caused by a staphylococcal infection. Also called furuncle.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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