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percolate
[ verb pur-kuh-leyt; noun pur-kuh-lit, -leyt ]
/ verb ˈpɜr kəˌleɪt; noun ˈpɜr kə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /
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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.
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Origin of percolate
how to pronounce 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, adjectiveper·co·la·tive, adjectiveun·per·co·lat·ed, adjectiveWords nearby percolate
Percival, perclose, Percocet, Percodan, percoid, percolate, percolation, percolator, per contiguum, per continuum, per contra
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use percolate in a sentence
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; tricklerain percolated through the roof
to permeate; penetrate graduallywater percolated the road
(intr) US informal to become active or livelyshe 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), adjectivepercolation, nounpercolative, adjectiveWord Origin for percolate
C17: from Latin percolāre, from per + cōlāre to strain, from cōlum a strainer; see colander
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
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.
Other words from percolate
per′co•la′tion n.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.