percolate

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpəːkəleɪt/

verb

  • 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a liquid or gas) filter gradually through a porous surface or substance: the water percolating through the soil may leach out minerals
  • spread gradually through an area or group of people: continental ideas on art, science, and architecture percolated from Venice to London
  • 2 [no object] (of coffee) be prepared in a percolator: he put some coffee on to percolate
  • [with object] prepare (coffee) in a percolator: (as adjective percolated) freshly percolated coffee
  • [no object] US be or become full of lively activity or excitement: the night was percolating with an expectant energy

Derivatives

percolation

Pronunciation: /-ˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

Origin:

early 17th century: from Latin percolat- 'strained through', from the verb percolare, from per- 'through' + colare 'to strain' (from colum 'strainer')