The phrase "boiling away" refers to a liquid that is evaporating due to heat. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /ˈbɔɪ.lɪŋ əˈweɪ/. The first syllable, "boil," is pronounced as /bɔɪl/ with a long "o" sound. The second syllable, "-ing," is pronounced as /ɪŋ/ with a nasal "ng" sound. The final word, "away," is pronounced as /əˈweɪ/ with a schwa sound in the first syllable and a long "a" sound in the second syllable. Together, these sounds create the distinct pronunciation of "boiling away."
Boiling away refers to the process of heating a liquid to its boiling point and subsequently causing it to evaporate rapidly. Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid when it is heated to a temperature at which its vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. The term "boiling away" emphasizes the action of a liquid disappearing through the process of boiling.
When a liquid such as water reaches its boiling point, energy is transferred to the molecules, causing them to move more vigorously. As a result, the liquid changes into a gas, forming bubbles that rise to the surface and escape into the surrounding atmosphere. This phenomenon is commonly observed when water is heated on a stovetop, creating a visible boil that seems to make the liquid diminish over time.
"Boiling away" is often used metaphorically to describe the concept of something gradually disappearing or being consumed, similar to how a liquid evaporates during boiling. This expression can be applied in various contexts, such as describing the rapid depletion of resources, the passing of time, or the dissipation of one's energy or stamina.
In summary, "boiling away" is the process in which a liquid rapidly evaporates due to it being heated to its boiling point, leading to the formation of bubbles and ultimately resulting in its disappearance. Beyond its literal meaning, the phrase can also be used metaphorically to depict the gradual depletion or consumption of something.
The word "boiling" comes from the Middle English word "boilen" which originated from the Old French word "bouillir" meaning "to boil". The Old French word, in turn, can be traced back to the Latin word "bullīre" meaning "to bubble, boil". Another root of the word "boiling" is the Latin word "bulliare" meaning "to boil, gush forth".
The word "away" originated from the Middle English word "a-way" which meant "onward" or "from this place". It is a combination of the Old English words "ā" meaning "on" or "egain" and "weġ" meaning "way" or "path". Over time, it evolved to its current form "away".