decant

decant
\ \ [17] The word decant depends on a metaphorical connection perceived in the ancient world between the ‘corner of someone’s eye’ (Greek kānthos) and the ‘lip of a jug’. On the basis of this, Latin acquired the word canthuslip of a jug’. From this was formed in medieval Latin the verb dēcanthārepour out’, a word originally used by alchemists to denote the careful pouring off of a liquid from its sediment.
\ \ English probably acquired the verb direct from Latin.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Decant — De*cant , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decanted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decanting}.] [F. d[ e]canter (cf. It. decantare), prop., to pour off from the edge of a vessel; pref. d[ e] (L. de) + OF. cant (It. canto) edge, border, end. See {Cant} an edge.] To pour… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • decant — index outpour Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • decant — 1630s, pour off the clear liquid from a solution by gently tipping the vessel, originally an alchemical term, from Fr. décanter, perhaps from M.L. decanthare to pour from the edge of a vessel, from de + M.L. canthus corner, lip of a jug, from L.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • decant — ► VERB 1) pour from one container into another to separate liquid from sediment. 2) informal transfer (passengers) to another place. ORIGIN Latin decanthare, from canthus edge, rim …   English terms dictionary

  • decant — [dē kant′, dikant′] vt. [Fr décanter < ML decanthare < L de , from + cant(h)us: see CANT2] 1. to pour off (a liquid, as wine) gently without stirring up the sediment 2. to pour from one container into another decantation [dē΄kan tā′shən] n …   English World dictionary

  • decant — de|cant [dıˈkænt] v [T] [Date: 1600 1700; : Medieval Latin; Origin: decantare, from Latin cantus lip of a pouring container ] to pour liquid, especially wine, from one container into another decant sth into sth ▪ Never decant cleaning products… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • decant — [[t]dɪkæ̱nt[/t]] decants, decanting, decanted VERB If you decant a liquid into another container, you put it into another container. [FORMAL] [V n into n] She always used to decant the milk into a jug... [be V ed] Vintage ports must be decanted… …   English dictionary

  • decant — UK [dɪˈkænt] / US verb [transitive] Word forms decant : present tense I/you/we/they decant he/she/it decants present participle decanting past tense decanted past participle decanted 1) to pour wine out of one container and into another so that… …   English dictionary

  • decant — verb /dəˈkænt/ a) To pour off gently, as liquor, so as not to disturb the sediment; or to pour from one vessel into another; as, to decant wine. b) To remove a clone from its chamber, vat, or artificial womb …   Wiktionary

  • decant — [17] The word decant depends on a metaphorical connection perceived in the ancient world between the ‘corner of someone’s eye’ (Greek kānthos) and the ‘lip of a jug’. On the basis of this, Latin acquired the word canthus ‘lip of a jug’. From this …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • decant —    to urinate    Literally, to pour liquid from one container into another:     Just going to decant (and the awful phrases they come up with). (Barnes, 1991) …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

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