till
Latinto drip, to filter, to purify by distillation
About This Root
From Latin dēstillāre (to drip down), from stilla (a drop). The core image is liquid falling drop by drop. Distill means to purify by heating and collecting drops; distillery is where this happens. Instill extends the metaphor — to put ideas in drop by drop, gradually. The root connects liquid purification with the gentle transfer of knowledge.
Associated Words · 6
instill
To gradually introduce ideas or qualities into someone's mind
distil
To purify or extract by heating and condensing vapour
distillation
The process of purifying liquid by evaporation and condensation; the purest essence of something
distillery
A factory where alcoholic spirits are produced by distillation
distiller
A person or device that distills, especially alcoholic spirits
instillation
Gradual introduction of ideas; drop-by-drop introduction of liquid