boil1

 
Pronunciation: /bɔɪl/

verb

  • 1(with reference to a liquid) reach or cause to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour: [with object]: we asked people to boil their drinking water [no object]: he waited for the water to boil
  • (with reference to a kettle, pan, or other container) heat or be heated until the liquid inside starts to boil: [with object]: she boiled the kettle and took down a couple of mugs [no object]: the kettle boiled and he filled the teapot
  • 2 [with object] subject (something) to the heat of boiling liquid, in particular:
  • (with reference to food) cook or be cooked by immersing in boiling water or stock: [with object]: boil the potatoes until well done (as adjective boiled) two boiled eggs [no object]: make the sauce while the lobsters are boiling
  • wash or sterilize (clothes) in water of a very high temperature: boil bedclothes and towels
  • historical execute (someone) by subjecting them to the heat of boiling liquid: one valet was ordered to be boiled alive
  • 3 [no object] (of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy: a huge cliff with the black sea boiling below
  • (of a person or strong emotion) be stirred up: he was boiling with rage

noun

  • 1 [in singular] the temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapour: bring the sauce to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes
  • the process of heating a liquid to the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour: the kettle’s on the boil
  • British a state of great activity or excitement: he has gone off the boil since opening the campaign
  • 2 Fishing a sudden rise of a fish at a fly: a boil from a fish in a pool

Phrases

keep the pot boiling

maintain the brisk momentum of something: a home win over Sheffield kept the pot boiling

Phrasal Verbs

boil down to

amount to; be essentially a matter of: everything boiled down to cash in the end

boil something down

reduce the volume of a liquid by boiling: they boil down the syrup until it is very thick

boil over

(of a liquid) flow over the sides of the container in boiling: the milk’s boiled over
(of a situation or strong emotion) reach a state of such intensity that it can no longer be controlled or contained: one woman’s anger boiled over

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French boillir, from Latin bullire 'to bubble', from bulla 'bubble'