leach1 /lēch/ transitive verb- (also letch) to allow (a liquid) to percolate through something
- To subject (something) to percolation so as to separate the soluble constituent(s)
- To drain away by percolation
intransitive verb- To percolate through or out of
- To pass out of by the action of a percolating liquid
- To lose soluble elements by the action of a percolating liquid
ORIGIN: OE leccan to water, irrigate or moisten leachˈate noun - A liquid that has percolated through or out of some substance
- A liquid that has been polluted or made toxic by percolating through rubbish
- A solution obtained by leaching
leachˈing noun leachˈy adjective Liable to be leached leachˈ-trough or leachˈtub noun A trough or tub in which ashes are leached bacterial leaching The use of selected strains of bacteria to accelerate the acid leach of sulphide minerals |