Leached: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'leach' comes from the Old English 'leccan', which means to moisten or to draw forth.
• In Middle English, 'leach' meant to filter or drain, emphasizing its connection to pulling something out.

Agriculture

• In farming, nutrients can get leached away from the soil by heavy rains, leading to less fertile land.
• Leaching is often used to test soil, where chemicals are leached from the soil to study its composition.

Environmental Science

• Leaching can cause pollutants from landfills to seep into groundwater, which is a significant environmental concern.
• Contaminated soil can lead to leached hazardous substances entering rivers and lakes, impacting ecosystems.

Chemistry

• In chemical processes, leaching can help extract metals from ores, making it an essential method in mining.
• The process of using solvents to leach valuable compounds from solid materials is a key step in many industrial applications.

Culinary Arts

• When making tea or coffee, heat and water leach flavors from the leaves or grounds to create the final drink.
• Cooking methods like marinating often leach flavors from the spices and herbs into the main dish.

With rank #18,886, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 18885 inundation
• 18886 leached
• 18887 physiologically
• 18888 lumped
• 18889 symbiotic
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