Infusion

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈfjuːʒən/

Definitions

1. the act of introducing a substance into a liquid by steeping or soaking, or the resulting flavored liquid obtained from this extraction method
2. the introduction or injection of something new into an existing system or mixture, or the liquid product created by immersing ingredients in hot water
3. The process of soaking materials in a liquid to draw out flavors or active components ; the addition of new elements or qualities into a current system or mixture

Etymology: The noun "infusion" started out as a plain physical action: pouring something into something else. Its Latin source, "infusio," meant a pouring into, a wetting, or a dyeing, and it grew from "infundere," to pour in. The sense of steeping leaves or herbs in hot water, which gave us the tea-like drink, is an extension of that pouring idea: the liquid is poured over the material and left to draw out what it holds. The word reached English through Middle English "infusioun," which was borrowed from Old French. Its later figurative use, adding new qualities or elements into an existing system, follows the same logic. Something is poured into a mixture and becomes part of it, so a company might speak of an infusion of capital, or a team of fresh talent.

Synonyms: injection, introduction, instillation, perfusion, brew

Antonyms: extraction, withdrawal