Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Decoction
De-coc′tion
,Noun.
[F.
décoction
, L. decoctio
.] 1.
The act or process of boiling anything in a watery fluid to extract its virtues.
In
decoction
. . . it either purgeth at the top or settleth at the bottom. Bacon.
2.
An extract got from a body by boiling it in water.
If the plant be boiled in water, the strained liquor is called the
decoction
of the plant. Arbuthnot.
In pharmacy
decoction
is opposed to infusion, where there is merely steeping. Latham.
Webster 1828 Edition
Decoction
DECOC'TION
, n.Definition 2024
decoction
decoction
See also: décoction
English
Noun
decoction (plural decoctions)
- An extraction or essence of something, obtained by boiling it down.
- 1993, Anthony Burgess, A Dead Man In Deptford
- Poley offered a hot decoction of blackberries, saying: Peace?
- 1994, Jeanette Winterson, Art & Lies
- Witches and devils no longer threaten you and me. We don’t mind living next door to the harmless lady with her herb garden and decoction still, her black cat and red hair.
- 1993, Anthony Burgess, A Dead Man In Deptford
Related terms
Translations
an extraction or essence
Old French
Noun
decoction f (oblique plural decoctions, nominative singular decoction, nominative plural decoctions)
- Alternative form of decoccion
- 1303, Bernard de Gordon, Fleur de lis de medecine (a.k.a. lilium medicine):
-
IX cuillieres de la dicte decoction
- [take] 9 teaspoonfuls of the aforementioned decoction
-
IX cuillieres de la dicte decoction
-