noun

distillation

dis-tih-LAY-shun/ˌdɪstɪˈleɪʃn/

Purification through evaporation and condensation.

Distillation removes salt from seawater by collecting and cooling its vapor.

A coherent laboratory distillation apparatus with boiling flask at left, sloped water-cooled condenser and collected clear liquid at right.

Etymology

diLatinapart

+stillLatinto drip

+ationLatinaction or process

The underlying verb described trickling down in minute drops, and the noun names the process. In liquid purification, this drop-by-drop image fits the collection of condensed vapor after heating.

In context

Fraser Builds29:20

were clearly a development of the Islamic period and the Islamic Alchemist Al Z lists seven similar processes in his katab alasar or book of secrets for him cination and distillation were combined into a single process of purification

I learned Alchemy from Medieval Manuscripts. Here's how it works:

More examples

The lab uses distillation to recover solvent from the mixture.
Distillation concentrates the alcohol in fermented grain mixtures.
After two distillations, the liquid contains fewer impurities.

Forms

distillation · distillations

distill verb — Purify a liquid by vaporizing and condensing.

Similar words

purification: Purification removes impurities by any method, not necessarily vaporization.
separation: Separation divides substances without necessarily purifying them or using heat.