percolate

[ verb pur-kuh-leyt; noun pur-kuh-lit, -leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, per·co·lat·ed, per·co·lat·ing.

1. to cause (a liquid) to pass through a porous body; filter.
2. (of a liquid) to filter through; permeate.
3. to brew (coffee) in a percolator.

verb (used without object)

, per·co·lat·ed, per·co·lat·ing.

1. to pass through a porous substance; filter; ooze; seep; trickle.
2. to become percolated:

   The coffee is starting to percolate.

3. to become active, lively, or spirited.
4. to show activity, movement, or life; grow or spread gradually; germinate:

   Interest in the idea has begun to percolate.

noun

1. a percolated liquid.

percolate

/ ˈpɜːkələbəl /

verb

1. 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

2. to permeate; penetrate gradually

   water percolated the road

3. informal.
   intr to become active or lively

   she percolated with happiness

4. to make (coffee) or (of coffee) to be made in a percolator

noun

1. a product of percolation

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of percolate as [pur, -ky, uh, -leyt], 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] is followed by some other vowel, the [y] represents a hypercorrection. The pronunciation of escalate as [es, -ky, uh, -leyt] is another such example. See coupon, new.

Derived Forms

• ˈpercolative, adjective
• ˌpercoˈlation, noun
• percolable, adjective

Other Words From

• perco·la·ble adjective
• perco·lative adjective
• un·perco·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of percolate¹

1620–30; < Latin percōlātus, past participle of percōlāre to filter. See per-, colander, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of percolate¹

C17: from Latin percolāre, from per + cōlāre to strain, from cōlum a strainer; see colander

Example Sentences

McCurry’s team is working to learn more about whether the metals in retardant percolate into groundwater or run off into streams and rivers.

From Los Angeles Times

The system purifies wastewater using a three-step advanced treatment process, and the water then percolates and is injected into the groundwater basin, where it becomes part of the supply.

From Los Angeles Times

It all percolates in the shadowy urban allure of Paul Guilhaume’s cinematography, especially as it plays across its leading ladies’ faces, turning skin into a mood palette, burnishing all the musical interludes.

From Los Angeles Times

The plan called for reducing the size of three existing golf courses and opening wide corridors where the river and creeks would spread out in the floodplains and water would percolate into the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

This idea to unpack being alone versus loneliness began percolating for you years ago, at a different stage in your life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bubble
• filter
• ooze
• permeate
• pervade