Etymology From French décanter, from Medieval Latin dēcanthāre, from dē- + canthus (“beak of a cup or jug”).
1
To pour off (a liquid) gently, so as not to disturb the sediment.
After washing, the insoluble lime soap is decomposed with hot dilute sulphuric acid. The melted fatty acids thus rise as an oil to the surface, when they are decanted.1908, Michael Faraday, The Chemical History of a Candle:
2
To pour from its original vessel into one intended for a different use or appearance.
Swincombe, formerly Swan-combe, runs to the north of the ridge, and has the sources of its river in the Fox Tor mires and near Childe's Tomb. It runs north-east, and then abruptly passes north to decant into the West Dart.1900, Sabine Baring-Gould, A Book of Dartmoor:
“We also predestine and condition. We decant our babies as socialized human beings, as Alphas or Epsilons, as future sewage workers or future …” He was going to say “future World controllers,” but correcting himself, said “future Directors of Hatcheries,” instead.1932, Aldous Huxley, Brave New World:
5
To rehouse people while their buildings are being refurbished or rebuilt.
Etymology From French décanter, from Medieval Latin dēcanthāre, from dē- + canthus (“beak of a cup or jug”).
1
A portion of perfume unofficially sold in a smaller bottle.
In addition to decants, minis, and used bottles of vintage, perfume nips are a fun way to try out vintage, and they seem to be all over the Internet.2013, Barbara Herman, Scent and Subversion: Decoding a Century of Provocative Perfume, page 261: