percolate
[ verb pur-kuh-leyt; noun pur-kuh-lit, -leyt ]
/ verb ˈpɜr kəˌleɪt; noun ˈpɜr kə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /
verb (used with object), per·co·lat·ed, per·co·lat·ing.
verb (used without object), per·co·lat·ed, per·co·lat·ing.
noun
a percolated liquid.
Origin of percolate
pronunciation note for percolate
The pronunciation of
percolate as
[pur-kyuh-leyt] /ˈpɜr kyəˌleɪt/, with an intrusive
y -glide, results from analogy with words like
circulate and
matriculate, where the unstressed vowel following the
k -sound is symbolized by a
u spelling, making the
y -glide mandatory. In similar words where
[k] /k/ is followed by some other vowel, the
[y] /y/ represents a hypercorrection. The pronunciation of
escalate as
[es-kyuh-leyt] /ˈɛs kyəˌleɪt/ is another such example. See
coupon,
new.
OTHER WORDS FROM percolate
per·co·la·ble, adjective per·co·la·tive, adjective un·per·co·lat·ed, adjectiveWords nearby percolate
percival,
perclose,
percocet,
percodan,
percoid,
percolate,
percolation,
percolator,
percurrent,
percuss,
percussion
Example sentences from the Web for percolate
British Dictionary definitions for percolate
percolate
verb (ˈpɜːkəˌleɪt)
to cause (a liquid) to pass through a fine mesh, porous substance, etc, or (of a liquid) to pass through a fine mesh, porous substance, etc; trickle
rain percolated through the roof
to permeate; penetrate gradually
water percolated the road
(intr) US informal
to become active or lively
she percolated with happiness
to make (coffee) or (of coffee) to be made in a percolator
noun (ˈpɜːkəlɪt, -ˌleɪt)
a product of percolation
Derived forms of percolate
percolable (ˈpɜːkələbəl), adjective percolation, noun percolative, adjectiveWord Origin for percolate
C17: from Latin
percolāre, from
per +
cōlāre to strain, from
cōlum a strainer; see
colander
Medical definitions for percolate
percolate
[ pûr′kə-lāt′ ]
v.
To cause a liquid to pass slowly through a porous substance or small holes; filter.
To drain or seep through.
To cause a solvent liquid to pass through a mixture, such as a powdered drug, so as to extract the soluble portion.
n.
A liquid that has been percolated.