Pronunciation: [stˈɪl ɹˈuːm] (IPA) 
The phrase "still room" has an unusual spelling, as it doesn't follow traditional English spelling patterns. The word "still" is spelled with a double L, which comes from its Old English roots. The second part of the phrase, "room," is spelled like most English words. The IPA phonetic transcription of "still room" is /ˈstɪl ˌruːm/. The stress is on the first syllable of "still," and the "oo" sound in "room" is a long vowel sound.
A "still room" refers to a designated area or space within a traditional English country house or manor where various household tasks related to culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic preparations are conducted. Historically, the still room was often located near the kitchen or pantry and was an essential part of every household, particularly during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
In this room, the housekeeper, often assisted by maids or other domestic staff, would engage in various activities such as distilling essential oils, making herbal remedies, creating preserves, brewing alcoholic beverages, and crafting beauty products. The name "still room" originated from the process of distilling liquids to extract their essential properties, as the room was originally used for the distillation of spirits and essences.
The still room was traditionally well-equipped, housing an array of tools, such as copper stills, mortars and pestles, jars, bottles, and other utensils necessary for the various tasks. Ingredients like herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices were stored in the still room, ensuring they were readily available for use in different preparations.
Over time, the still room has evolved into the modern-day kitchen and pantry, with the tasks once performed there now being conducted in other areas of the home or commercially. However, the term "still room" still holds nostalgic associations with the earlier times, reflecting an era when household management enveloped a vast range of activities beyond meal preparation, extending into the realms of self-care, health, and preservation.
An apartment for distilling; a room where liquors, preserves, and the like are kept.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "still room" comes from the combination of two separate words: "still" and "room".
The term "still" refers to a distilling apparatus used to purify liquids or extract essential oils and flavors. It can be traced back to the Middle English word "stille" and the Old English word "stille" meaning "quiet" or "calm". The association with distillation likely arises from the fact that the process involves heating a liquid until it vaporizes and then condensing the vapor to obtain a purified substance.
The word "room", on the other hand, has its origin in the Old English word "rum" meaning "space" or "area". Over time, it evolved to refer to a specific space within a building dedicated to a particular function.
