leach

[ leech ]

/ litʃ /

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See synonyms for: leach / leaching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation.

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

verb (used without object)

(of ashes, soil, etc.) to undergo the action of percolating water.

to percolate, as water.

noun

the act or process of leaching.

a product or solution obtained by leaching; leachate.

the material leached.

a vessel for use in leaching.

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crisp

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fuscous

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Origin of leach

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, adjectiveleach·a·bil·i·ty, nounleacher, nounun·leached, adjective

Words nearby leach

LDR, L-driver, L.D.S., -le, lea, leach, leachate, leaching, leachy, Leacock, lead

Other definitions for leach (2 of 2)

leach²

[ leech ]

/ litʃ /

noun Nautical.

leech³.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use leach in a sentence

There’s another Britney on my mind today, too, one that is alive, one that can be saved from the leaches that are controlling and trafficking her.
What to Know About Britney Spears, Her Conservatorship and the #FreeBritney Movement|Megan McCluskey|January 8, 2021|Time
Rising sea levels have elevated the water table in coastal areas, shrinking the depth of leach fields and increasing contamination.
Battling America’s ‘dirty secret’|Sarah Kaplan|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Professor Penelope Leach told The Daily Beast it was ludicrous to monitor young children in that way.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis|Nico Hines|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The compilation also brought the Nazi-riffic Apt Pupil and leach-tastic The Body (aka Stand By Me) to the silver screen.
20 Things You Didn’t Know About 'The Shawshank Redemption'|Bill Schulz|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Leach ran an ad teasing Margolies about her Clinton connection, dismissing the first family of Democratic politics as old news.
What Democratic Revolt? Moderate Cruises in PA-13 Primary|David Freedlander|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leach was active in several moderate groups during his 30 years in the House, losing his bid for reelection in 2006.
The Incredible Shrinking GOP Moderates|Eleanor Clift|July 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
For Jeff Leach, the man behind it, the restaurant was an experiment.
The Healthiest Fast Food Chain|Joshua Robinson|November 2, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Among the former were a species of phyllosoma, and the Alima hyalina of Leach.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
As Donovan described and figured this insect many years before Dr. Leach, his name has the right of priority.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Mr. Leach, of Michigan, stated that he had paired with Mr. English, or he would have voted in the negative.
A Report of the Debates and Proceedings in the Secret Sessions of the Conference Convention|Lucius Eugene Chittenden
In Calepteryx Virgo Leach, the former are of a lovely silky blue, and the latter green.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
A Y-shaped partition that divides the head internally in Locusta Leach, into two chambers, an anterior and posterior.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby

British Dictionary definitions for leach (1 of 3)

leach¹

/ (liːtʃ) /

verb

to remove or be removed from a substance by a percolating liquid

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

another word for percolate (def. 1), percolate (def. 2)

noun

the act or process of leaching

a substance that is leached or the constituents removed by leaching

a porous vessel for leaching

Derived forms of leach

leacher, noun

Word Origin for leach

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

British Dictionary definitions for leach (2 of 3)

leach²

/ (liːtʃ) /

noun

a variant spelling of leech 2

British Dictionary definitions for leach (3 of 3)

Leach

/ (liːtʃ) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

leach

Origin of leach

OTHER WORDS FROM leach

Words nearby leach

Other definitions for leach (2 of 2)

Words related to leach

How to use leach in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leach (1 of 3)

Derived forms of leach

Word Origin for leach

British Dictionary definitions for leach (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for leach (3 of 3)