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¹boil

verb \ˈbȯi(-ə)l\

: to become so hot that bubbles are formed in a liquid and rise to the top

: to heat (a liquid or a container with liquid in it) so that bubbles are formed and rise to the top

: to cook (something) in water that is boiling

Full Definition of BOIL

intransitive verb

a : to come to the boiling point

b : to generate bubbles of vapor when heated —used of a liquid

c : to cook in boiling water

: to become agitated : seethe

: to be moved, excited, or stirred up

a : to rush headlong

b : to burst forth

: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid

transitive verb

: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid

: to heat to the boiling point

: to form or separate (as sugar or salt) by boiling

— boil·able \ˈbȯi-lə-bəl\ adjective

See boil defined for English-language learners

Origin of BOIL

Middle English, from Anglo-French buillir, boillir, from Latin bullire to bubble, from bulla bubble

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BOIL

Synonyms: burn, foam, fume, rage, rankle, seethe, sizzle, steam, storm, see red

²boil

noun

Definition of BOIL

: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus

Origin of BOIL

Middle English, alteration of bile, from Old English bȳl; akin to Old High German pūlla bladder

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with BOIL

broil, coil, foil, moil, oil, royal, soil, spoil, toil

³boil

noun

Definition of BOIL

: the act or state of boiling

: a swirling upheaval (as of water)

: a boiled dish of seafood, vegetables, and seasonings <a crab boil>; also : a gathering at which this dish is served

First Known Use of BOIL

15th century

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

BOIL[1] Defined for Kids

¹boil

noun \ˈbȯil\

Definition of BOIL for Kids

: a red painful lump in the skin that contains pus and is caused by infection

²boil

verb

boiledboil·ing

Definition of BOIL for Kids

: to heat or become heated to the temperature (boiling point) at which bubbles rise and break at the surface <boil water>

: to cook or become cooked in boiling water <boil eggs> <Let the stew boil slowly.>

: to feel angry or upset <The crowd boiled in frustration.>

³boil

noun

Definition of BOIL for Kids

: the state of something that is boiling <Bring the water to a boil.>

Medical Dictionary

boil

noun \ˈbȯi(ə)l\

Medical Definition of BOIL

: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from usually bacterial infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus—called also furuncle