Leaching

[leech] /litʃ/

verb (used with object)
1.
to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation.
2.
to cause (water or other liquid) to percolate through something.
verb (used without object)
3.
(of ashes, soil, etc.) to undergo the action of percolating water.
4.
to percolate, as water.
noun
5.
the act or process of leaching.
6.
a product or solution obtained by leaching; .
7.
the material leached.
8.
a vessel for use in leaching.
/liːtʃ/
verb
1.
to remove or be removed from a substance by a percolating liquid
2.
to lose or cause to lose soluble substances by the action of a percolating liquid
3.
another word for percolate (sense 1), percolate (sense 2)
noun
4.
the act or process of leaching
5.
a substance that is leached or the constituents removed by leaching
6.
a porous vessel for leaching
/liːtʃ/
noun
1.
a variant spelling of leech2
/liːtʃ/
noun
1.
Bernard (Howell). 1887–1979, British potter, born in Hong Kong
v.

Old English leccan “to moisten, water, wet, irrigate,” (see leak). The word disappears, then re-emerges late 18c. in a technological sense in reference to percolating liquids. Related: Leached; leaching.

leaching leach·ing (lē’chĭng)
n.
See lixiviation.
leach v.
leaching
(lē’chĭng)
The removal of soluble material from a substance, such as soil or rock, through the percolation of water. Organic matter is typically removed from a soil horizon and soluble metals or salts from a rock by leaching. Leaching differs from eluviation in that it affects soluble, not suspended, material and often results in the complete removal of the material from the soil or rock.