to boil down

1 definition found

to boil down - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Boil \Boil\, v. t.
     1. To heat to the boiling point, or so as to cause
        ebullition; as, to boil water.
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     2. To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation; as, to
        boil sugar or salt.
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     3. To subject to the action of heat in a boiling liquid so as
        to produce some specific effect, as cooking, cleansing,
        etc.; as, to boil meat; to boil clothes.
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              The stomach cook is for the hall,
              And boileth meate for them all.       --Gower.
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     4. To steep or soak in warm water. [Obs.]
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              To try whether seeds be old or new, the sense can
              not inform; but if you boil them in water, the new
              seeds will sprout sooner.             --Bacon.
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     To boil down, to reduce in bulk by boiling; as, to boil
        down sap or sirup.
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