distil

verb13

1. •
   To heat (a substance, usually a liquid) so that a vapour is produced, and then to cool the vapour so that it condenses back into a liquid, either to purify the original substance or to obtain one of its components; to subject to distillation.

   • Haue I not bene Thy Pupill long? Hast thou not learn'd me how To make Perfumes? Distill? Preserue? — 1611
2. •
   Followed by off or out: to expel (a volatile substance) from something by distillation.
3. •
   To transform a thing (into something else) by distillation.

   • Ile grow to your embraces, till two soules Distilled into kisses, through our lips Doe make one spirit of love. — 1638
4. •
   To make (something, especially spirits such as gin and whisky) by distillation.

   • There is some soule of goodnesse in things euill, VVould men obseruingly distill it out. — 1599
5. •
   To turn into a vapour and then condense back into a liquid; to undergo or be produced by distillation.

   • The outward Peace of the Church, Distilleth into Peace of Conscience; […] — 1625
6. •
   To extract the essence of (something) by, or as if by, distillation; to concentrate, to purify.

   • But earthlyer happy is the rose distild, Then that, which, withering on the virgin thorne, Growes, liues, and dies, in single blessednesse. — 1595
7. •
   To train a neural network on the outputs or behaviour of a more complex model in order to transfer selected knowledge and capabilities and create a smaller, more focused, or more efficient model.

   • “We are aware of and reviewing indications that DeepSeek may have inappropriately distilled our models, and will share information as we know more,” she said. — 2025
8. •
   To flow or pass gently or slowly; hence (figuratively) to be manifested gently or gradually.

   • My doctrine shall drop as the raine: my speach shall distill as the deaw, as the smal raine vpon the tender herbe, and as the showres vpon the grasse. — 1611
9. •
   To exude (a liquid) in small drops; also, to give off (a vapour) which condenses in small drops.

   • Firs distil resin.
10. •
    To fall or trickle down in small drops; to exude, to ooze out; also, to come out as a vapour which condenses in small drops.

    • The Euphrates […] distilleth out of the mountains of Armenia. — 1614
11. •
    (figurative) To impart (information, etc.) in small quantities; to infuse.

    • She felt the slackening frost distil Through her blood the last ooze dull and chill: Her lids were dry and her lips were still. — 1871
12. •
    To drip or be wet with some liquid.

    • So when two Boars, in wild Ytene bred, Or on VVestphalia’s fatt’ning Chest-nuts fed, […] In the black Flood they wallow o’er and o’er, ’Till their arm’d Jaws distill with Foam and Gore. — 1716
13. •
    (no longer used) To dissolve or melt (something).

    • Swords by the Light'ning's subtile Force distill'd, And the cold Sheath with running Metal fill'd: […] — 1705