boil

¹boil

verb \ˈbȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of BOIL

intransitive verb

1

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

2

: to become agitated : seethe

3

: to be moved, excited, or stirred up

4

a : to rush headlong

b : to burst forth

5

: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid

transitive verb

1

: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid

2

: to heat to the boiling point

3

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

— boil·able \ˈbȯi-lə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of BOIL

1. Keep the temperature low enough so the mixture will not boil.
2. a pot of boiling water
3. french fries cooked in boiling oil

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

Related Words

fulminate, rant, rave; smolder (or smoulder); bristle, flare (up), inflame (also enflame); chafe, fret, stew; agitate, convulse, roil, shake

Near Antonyms

abate, calm, subside

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

1

: the act or state of boiling

2

: a swirling upheaval (as of water)

3

: 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

noun \ˈbȯi(ə)l\   (Medical Dictionary)

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

boil

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Inflamed pus-filled swelling due to staphylococcus skin infection at a hair follicle. It is painful and feels hard. Boils usually occur in hairy areas exposed to friction and maceration. Scratching an existing skin disorder may introduce staphylococci on the skin into hair follicles and cause a boil to arise. A carbuncle occurs when several adjoining boils merge. Healing requires discharging the pus. Treatment involves antibiotics.

Variants of BOIL

boil or furuncle or furunculosis