decant
UK[dɪˈkænt]US[dɪˈkænt]
v
to pour a liquid, especially wine, from one container into another, often to separate it from sediment.
v
to move people or things from one place to another, especially in a careful or gradual way.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
cant
de
down, away
cant
edge, rim
Etymology
the word "decant" originates from the medieval latin verb 'decanthare,' which itself is built from the latin prefix 'de-' and the latin/greek root 'canthus' (rim). the literal, technical meaning was "to pour off from the rim or edge," a precise description of the action of carefully pouring a liquid from one vessel to another to leave the dregs behind. this concrete action of pouring from the rim evolved into the modern, more abstract sense of transferring contents from one container to another, and further extended metaphorically to describe the careful relocation of people or objects.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + cant (edge, rim)
'de-' is a Latin prefix meaning "down, away, off." 'cant' is from the Latin 'canthus' or Greek 'kanthos,' meaning "rim, edge" (as of a wheel or vessel).
Examples
she decanted the vintage port into a glass pitcher to separate it from the sediment.
the residents were decanted from the old building into temporary accommodation while renovations took place.
after letting the mixture settle, he decanted the clear liquid into a clean beaker.