boil: Meaning and Definition of

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. It all boils down to a clear case of murder.
    1. to reduce the quantity of by boiling off liquid.
    2. to shorten; abridge.
    3. to be simplifiable or summarizable as; lead to the conclusion that; point:It all boils down to a clear case of murder.
    1. to degum (silk).
    2. to remove (sizing, wax, impurities, or the like) from a fabric by subjecting it to a hot scouring solution. Also,boil out.
  5. Any mention of the incident makes her boil over.
    1. to overflow while boiling or as if while boiling; burst forth; erupt.
    2. 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 calledan unwanted flow of water and solid matter into an excavation, due to excessive outside water pressure.

boil

Pronunciation: (boil), [key]
— n. Pathol.
  1. 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
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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