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decoct (di-KOKT) verb tr.

1. To extract the flavor of by boiling.

2. To make concentrated; boil down.

[Middle English decocten, to boil, from Latin decoquere, decoct-, to boil down or away : de- + coquere, to boil, to cook.]

"Ning decocted the herbs, but the boy disliked the bitter liquid." Ha Jin, New arrival. (short story), Chicago Review, 22 Sep 1995.

This week's theme: verbs.

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. -Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968)

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