1 tr. Chem. purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it with heat, then condensing it with cold and collecting the result.
2 tr. a Chem. extract the essence of (a plant etc.) usu. by heating it in a solvent. b extract the essential meaning or implications of (an idea etc.).
3 tr. make (whisky, essence, etc.) by distilling raw materials.
4 tr. (foll. by off, out) Chem. drive (the volatile constituent) off or out by heat.
5 tr. & intr. come as or give forth in drops; exude.
6 intr. undergo distillation.
Derivatives:
distillatory adj.
Etymology: ME f. L distillare f. destillare (as DE-, stilla drop)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.