percolate: Meaning and Definition of

per•co•late

Pronunciation: (v.pûr'ku-lāt"n.pûr'ku-lit, -lāt"), [key]
— v., n. -lat•ed, -lat•ing,
—v.t.
  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.
—v.i.
  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.
—n.
  1. a percolated liquid.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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