leach

1
[ leech ]
See synonyms for: leachleaching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation.

  2. to cause (water or other liquid) to percolate through something.

verb (used without object)
  1. (of ashes, soil, etc.) to undergo the action of percolating water.

  2. to percolate, as water.

noun
  1. the act or process of leaching.

  2. a product or solution obtained by leaching; leachate.

  1. the material leached.

  2. a vessel for use in leaching.

Origin of leach

1
1425–75; late Middle English leche leachate, infusion, probably Old English *læc(e), *lec(e), akin to leccan to wet, moisten, causative of leak

Other words from leach

  • leach·a·ble, adjective
  • leach·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • leacher, noun
  • un·leached, adjective

Words Nearby leach

Other definitions for leach (2 of 2)

leach2
[ leech ]

nounNautical.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use leach in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leach (1 of 3)

leach1

/ (liːtʃ) /


verb
  1. to remove or be removed from a substance by a percolating liquid

  2. to lose or cause to lose soluble substances by the action of a percolating liquid

noun
  1. the act or process of leaching

  2. a substance that is leached or the constituents removed by leaching

  1. a porous vessel for leaching

Origin of leach

1
C17: variant of obsolete letch to wet, perhaps from Old English leccan to water; related to leak

Derived forms of leach

  • leacher, noun

British Dictionary definitions for leach (2 of 3)

leach2

/ (liːtʃ) /


noun
  1. a variant spelling of leech 2

British Dictionary definitions for Leach (3 of 3)

Leach

/ (liːtʃ) /


noun
  1. Bernard (Howell). 1887–1979, British potter, born in Hong Kong

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