percolate Hear it!

percolate definition

per·co·late (pʉrkə lāt′; also, for n., -lit)

transitive verb percolated -·lat′ed, percolating -·lat′·ing

  1. to pass (a liquid) gradually through small spaces or a porous substance; filter
  2. to drain or ooze through (a porous substance); permeate
  3. to brew (coffee) in a percolator

Etymology: < L percolatus, pp. of percolare, to strain < per, through + colare, to strain: see colander

intransitive verb

    1. to pass or ooze through a porous substance
    2. to spread throughout; permeate
  1. to become active or start bubbling up, as coffee in a percolator

noun

a liquid produced by percolating

Related Forms:

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