leach
1[ leech ]
/ litʃ /
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
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schlep
Origin of leach
11425–75; 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, nounleach·er, nounun·leached, adjectiveWords nearby leach
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for leaching
British Dictionary definitions for leaching (1 of 3)
Leach
/ (liːtʃ) /
noun
Bernard (Howell). 1887–1979, British potter, born in Hong Kong
British Dictionary definitions for leaching (2 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, nounWord Origin for leach
C17: variant of obsolete letch to wet, perhaps from Old English leccan to water; related to leak
British Dictionary definitions for leaching (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for leaching
leaching
[ lē′chĭng ]
n.
lixiviation
Other words from leaching
leach v.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for leaching
leaching
[ lē′chĭng ]
The removal of soluble material from a substance, such as soil or rock, through the percolation of water. Organic matter is typically removed from a soil horizon and soluble metals or salts from a rock by leaching. Leaching differs from eluviation in that it affects soluble, not suspended, material and often results in the complete removal of the material from the soil or rock.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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