Definition of ebullient

The word "ebullient" derives from the Latin verb "bullevi" which means "to boil over." In the Middle Ages, alchemists used the term to describe the violent boiling of a chemical substance during the process of distillation. They believed that this boiling was a sign of purification and transformation. The word made its way into the English language through Latin and French in the 16th century. It was first recorded in English in a medical text written by Thomas Victry in 1569. In this text, Victry used "ebullient" to describe a violent cough that was causing a patient's chest to "boil over" with phlegm. Over time, the meaning of "ebullient" evolved to refer to a more general state of lively and enthusiastic energy. Today, it is often used to describe a person who is full of life and vigor, with a positive and optimistic outlook on the world. In contrast to its original meaning, "ebullient" is now associated with a sense of liveliness and exuberance, rather than any kind of boiling or overflowing.