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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

BOILED 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