percolate

To percolate is to gradually spread or filter through.

(verb)

  1. An example of percolate is when water gradually spreads and filters through soil.
  2. An example of percolate is when an idea gradually spreads and becomes more well known.
  3. When you make coffee in a special coffee maker called a percolator, this is an example of percolate.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See percolate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb percolated, percolating

  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

Origin: < 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:

See percolate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb per·co·lat·ed, per·co·lat·ing, per·co·lates
verb, transitive
  1. To cause (liquid, for example) to pass through a porous substance or small holes; filter.
  2. To pass or ooze through: Water percolated the sand.
  3. To make (coffee) in a percolator.
verb, intransitive
  1. To drain or seep through a porous material or filter.
  2. Informal To become lively or active.
  3. Informal To spread slowly or gradually.
noun (-lĭt, -lātˌ)
A liquid that has been percolated.

Origin:

Origin: Latin percōlāre, percōlāt-

Origin: : per-, per-

Origin: + cōlāre, to filter (from cōlum, sieve)

.

Related Forms:

  • perˌco·laˈtion noun

Learn more about percolate

link/cite print suggestion box