Definition of concoct

The word "concoct" originated in the late 16th century from the Middle French word "conquer" which meant "to mix" or "to compound." This French word was further derived from the Old French expression "con cuit," literally meaning "with cooking" or "with heat." The Old French phrase "con cuit" was used to describe a method of preparing medicinal remedies by boiling and mixing various ingredients in a pot or cauldron. This process was believed to extract the beneficial properties of the herbs and compounds, making them more potent and effective. The English word "concoct" can be traced back to the Middle French "concoctor," referring to someone who mastered the art of preparing and compounding medicines through this process. The verb "concoct" derived from the noun still retained its original meaning, referring to the act of preparing or mixing ingredients to create a new substance, whether it's for medicinal purposes or intended for other uses. Over time, the meaning of "concoct" shifted to include other senses, such as brewing, distilling, or creating an artificial substance. Today, the word is commonly used in various contexts, such as cooking, science, and language. It demonstrates the evolution of terminology and how words borrowed from other languages become part of the mainstream English lexicon.