- boil
- I
[[t]bɔɪl[/t]]v. i.1) phs to change from a liquid to a gaseous state, typically as a result of heat, producing bubbles of gas that rise to the surface of the liquid2) to reach the boiling point3) to be in an agitated or violent state:The sea boiled in the storm[/ex]4) to be deeply angry or upset5) to contain, or be contained in, a liquid that boils:The kettle is boiling. Don't let the vegetables boil[/ex]6) to bring to the boiling point7) to cook (something) in boiling water:to boil eggs[/ex]8) to separate (salt, sugar, etc.) from a solution containing it by boiling off the liquid9) phv boil downa) phv to reduce or lessen by boilingb) to shorten; abridge10) phv boil down to, to be reduced to; amount to:It boils down to a question of ethics[/ex]11) phv boil overa) to overflow while or as if while boiling; eruptb) to be unable to repress anger, excitement, etc12) the act or state of boiling:Bring the water to a boil[/ex]13) an area of agitated, swirling water•Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < AF, OF boillir < L bullīre to effervesce, boil, v. der. of bulla bubble syn: boil, seethe, simmer, stew are used figuratively to refer to agitated states of emotion. To boil suggests being very hot with anger or rage: He was boiling when the guests arrived late. To seethe is to be deeply stirred, violently agitated, or greatly excited: a mind seething with conflicting ideas. To simmer means to be at the point of bursting out or boiling over: to simmer with curiosity; to simmer with anger. To stew is an informal term that means to worry, or to be in a restless state of anxiety and excitement: to stew over one's troubles. IIboil[[t]bɔɪl[/t]] n.a painful circumscribed inflammation of the skin with a pus-filled inner core•Etymology: bef. 1000; ME bile, bule, OE bȳle; c. OS bula, OHG bulla; akin to ON beyla hump
From formal English to slang. 2014.