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boil
boil1 / boil/ • v. 1. [tr.] heat (a liquid) to the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor: we tried to get people to boil their drinking water. ∎ (of a liquid) be at or reach this temperature: he waited for the water to boil. ∎ heat (a container) until the liquid in it reaches such a temperature: [tr.] she boiled the kettle and took down a couple of mugs. ∎ [intr.] (of a container) be heated until the liquid in it reaches such a temperature: the kettle boiled and he filled the teapot. 2. [tr.] subject (something) to the heat of boiling liquid, in particular: ∎ cook (food) by immersing in boiling water: boil the potatoes until well done [as adj.] (boiled) two boiled eggs. ∎ [intr.] (of food) be cooked in boiling water: make the sauce while the lobsters are boiling. 3. [intr.] (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 or inflamed: he was boiling with rage. • n. 1. [in sing.] the temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapor: stir in cream and bring to a boil. ∎ an act or process of heating a liquid to such a temperature. ∎ fig. a state of vigorous activity or excitement. ∎ an area of churning water. ∎ Fishing a sudden rise of a fish at a fly. 2. an outdoor meal at which seafood is boiled: everything for a traditional Louisiana seafood boil can be carried down to the beach. ∎ a blend of seasonings added to water to enhance the flavor of boiled seafood: a salt-free seafood boil. PHRASAL VERBS: boil down to be in essence a matter of: everything boiled down to cash in the end. boil over (of a liquid) flow over the sides of the container in boiling. ∎ fig. (of a situation or strong emotion) become so excited or tense as to get out of control: one woman's anger boiled over. boil2 • n. an inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, typically caused by the infection of a hair follicle. |
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"boil." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boil." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-boil.html "boil." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-boil.html |
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boil
boil or furuncle , tender, painful inflammatory nodule in the skin, which becomes pustular but with a hard center (see abscess ). It may be caused by any of various microbes, the most usual being Staphylococcus aureus. If proper care and precautions are not taken it may spread to many sites (a condition called furunculosis). Several adjoining furuncles that coalesce are known as a carbuncle . The point of entry is usually a hair follicle or a sebaceous gland duct. Boils may occur anywhere in the skin but are most common at places where the skin is constantly exposed or chafed—neck, face, ear, armpit, breast, and extremities. The treatment of small boils consists of scrupulous cleanliness, protection from irritation, and applications of antibiotic ointments and moist heat. Large boils, especially those on the nose, upper lip, or near the eyes (where there is the greatest danger of their causing meningitis or blood poisoning), must be treated professionally with antibiotics. Such lesions should be incised and drained by a physician rather than allowed to discharge spontaneously. |
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"boil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-boil.html "boil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-boil.html |
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boil
boil (boil) n. a tender inflamed area of the skin containing pus. The infection is usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which enters through a hair follicle or a break in the skin. Boils usually heal when the pus is released or with antibiotic treatment, though occasionally they may cause more widespread infection. Medical name: furuncle.
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"boil." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boil." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-boil.html "boil." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-boil.html |
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boil
boil
1. Festering boils on humans and on animals were the ninth plague on Egypt (Exod. 9: 9) but failed to cause Pharaoh's heart to soften and release the Hebrews from their slavery. Moses threatened further disasters. 2. King Hezekiah suffered the same affliction and Isaiah recommended a poultice of figs (2 Kgs. 20: 7). |
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "boil." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "boil." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-boil.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "boil." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-boil.html |
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boil
boil1 hard inflamed tumour. OE. bȳl, bȳle = OS. būla. OHG. būlla bladder (G. beule), f. *būl- (Cf. Goth. ufbauljan puff up). The form boil dates from XV.
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T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-boil.html T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-boil.html |
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boil
boil (furuncle) Small, pus-filled swelling on the skin, often around a hair follicle or sebaceous gland. Most boils are caused by infection from a bacterium (staphylococcus).
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"boil." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boil." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-boil.html "boil." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-boil.html |
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boil
boil2 bubble up with heat. XIII. — AN. boiller, OF. boillir (mod. bouillir) :- L. bullire, f. bulla bubble.
Hence boil sb. XV. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-boil1.html T. F. HOAD. "boil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-boil1.html |
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boil
boil
•boil, Boyle, broil, coil, Dáil, Doyle, embroil, Fianna Fáil, foil, Hoyle, moil, noil, oil, roil, Royle, soil, spoil, toil, voile
•parboil • trefoil • jetfoil • airfoil
•cinquefoil • milfoil • tinfoil • multifoil • aerofoil • hydrofoil
•counterfoil • gargoyle • turmoil
•charbroil • topsoil • subsoil
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"boil." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boil." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-boil.html "boil." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-boil.html |
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