Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb intransitive To become reduced (to the most central elements or ingredients: to the essence, core, or implication for action).
  • verb transitive To reduce (to the most central elements or ingredients: to the essence, core, or implication for action).
  • verb transitive and intransitive Used other than as an idiom: see boil,‎ down.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb be cooked until very little liquid is left
  • verb cook until very little liquid is left
  • verb be the essential element

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

As an allusion to the technique of reduction or decreasing liquid content of food by boiling much of its water off.

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Examples

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