boil
UK[bɔɪl]US[bɔɪl]
v
(of a liquid) to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor
v
to cook something in boiling water
n
a painful, red swelling on the skin filled with pus
Etymology
The word 'boil' has a dual history in English, representing two distinct concepts that converged in spelling. The verb, meaning 'to bubble from heat,' descends from the Old French 'boillir,' which itself came from the Latin 'bullīre,' meaning 'to bubble, seethe.' This Latin term is derived from 'bulla,' meaning 'bubble.' The noun, referring to a skin infection, originates from the Old English 'bȳl' or 'bile,' related to the idea of a swelling. Over time, the spelling of both words standardized to 'boil,' linking the imagery of a bubbling liquid to the inflamed, pus-filled swelling on the skin.
Analysis
The word 'boil' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
Wait for the water to boil before adding the pasta.
She decided to boil the eggs for ten minutes.
The infection caused a painful boil on his neck.