leach Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the process of leaching
    leaching.
  2. verb cause (a liquid) to leach or percolate
  3. verb permeate or penetrate gradually
    percolate.
    • the fertilizer leached into the ground
  4. verb remove substances from by a percolating liquid
    strip.
    • leach the soil

WordNet

Leach noun
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) See 3d Leech.
Leach noun
Etymology
Cf. As. leáh lye, G. lauge. See Lye.
Definitions
  1. A quantity of wood ashes, through which water passes, and thus imbibes the alkali.
  2. A tub or vat for leaching ashes, bark, etc.
Leach transitive verb
Etymology
Written also leech and letch.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Leached ; present participle & verbal noun Leaching
Definitions
  1. To remove the soluble constituents from by subjecting to the action of percolating water or other liquid; as, to leach ashes or coffee.
  2. To dissolve out; -- often used with out; as, to leach out alkali from ashes.
Leach intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To part with soluble constituents by percolation.
Leach noun
Definitions
  1. See Leech, a physician. Obs.

Webster 1913