Main Entry:

²leach

Pronunciation:

\ˈlēch\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

leach vessel through which water is passed to extract lye

Date:

1796

transitive verb1: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid <leach out alkali from ashes>2: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components3 a: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation b: to draw out or remove as if by percolation <all meaning has been leached from my life>intransitive verb: to pass out or through by percolation

— leach·abil·i·ty \ˌlē-chə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— leach·able \ˈlē-chə-bəl\ adjective

— leach·er noun