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Webster 1913 Edition


Distillation

Disˊtil-la′tion

(dĭsˊtĭl-lā′shŭn)
,
Noun.
[F.
distillation
, L.
destillatio
.]
1.
The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops.
2.
That which falls in drops.
[R.]
Johnson
3.
(Chem.)
The separation of the volatile parts of a substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver, alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization; condensation;
as, the
distillation
of illuminating gas and coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in steam
.
☞ The evaporation of water, its condensation into clouds, and its precipitation as rain, dew, frost, snow, or hail, is an illustration of natural distillation.
4.
The substance extracted by distilling.
Shak.
Destructive distillation
(Chem.)
,
the distillation, especially of complex solid substances, so that the ultimate constituents are separated or evolved in new compounds, – usually requiring a high degree of heat;
as, the
destructive distillation
of soft coal or of wood
.
Dry distillation
,
the distillation of substances by themselves, or without the addition of water or of other volatile solvent;
as, the
dry distillation
of citric acid
.
Fractional distillation
.
(Chem.)
See under
Fractional
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Distillation

DISTILLATION

,
Noun.
1.
The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring or throwing down in drops.
2.
The vaporization and subsequent condensation of a liquid by means of an alembic, or still and refrigeratory, or of a retort and receiver; the operation of extracting spirit from a substance by evaporation and condensation; rectification.
3.
The substance extracted by distilling.
4.
That which falls in drops.

Definition 2024


distillation

distillation

See also: distillâtion

English

Noun

distillation (countable and uncountable, plural distillations)

  1. The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops.
  2. That which falls in drops.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnson to this entry?)
  3. (chemistry, chemical engineering) The separation of the volatile parts of a substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver, alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization; condensation; as, the distillation of illuminating gas and coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in steam.
  4. The substance extracted by distilling.

Translations