elutriate

elu·tri·ate

verb \ē-ˈlü-trē-ˌāt\

elu·tri·at·edelu·tri·at·ing

Definition of ELUTRIATE

transitive verb

: to purify, separate, or remove by washing

— elu·tri·a·tion \ē-ˌlü-trē-ˈā-shən\ noun

— elu·tri·a·tor \ē-ˈlü-trē-ˌā-tər\ noun

Origin of ELUTRIATE

Latin elutriatus, past participle of elutriare to put in a vat, perhaps from *elutrum vat, from Greek elytron reservoir, literally, covering

First Known Use: circa 1727