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Percolating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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percolating

[หˆpษœหrkษ™หŒleษชtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

filtering liquid

Percolating refers to the process of a liquid gradually passing through a filter or porous substance, typically to extract flavors or to separate solids from liquids. This term is commonly used in chemistry and culinary contexts.

Synonyms

draining, filtering, seeping.

Examples of usage

  • The coffee grounds are percolating in hot water.
  • Rainwater is percolating through the soil.
  • The tea is percolating to release its flavors.
Context #2 | Verb

spreading information

In a more abstract sense, percolating can also mean the gradual spreading or dissemination of information, ideas, or emotions within a group or community. This usage is often seen in discussions about social movements or trends.

Synonyms

circulating, diffusing, spreading.

Examples of usage

  • The news began percolating through the community.
  • Ideas about sustainability are percolating in society.
  • Concerns about climate change are percolating among young activists.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In geology, percolation refers to water moving through soil, which is vital for planting and irrigating crops.
  • In environmental science, percolating refers to how contaminants can spread through groundwater, affecting water quality.
  • Percolation theory is used in physics and mathematics to study how materials behave in terms of connectivity and flow.

Pop Culture

  • Coffee percolators became popular kitchen appliances in the 1940s and 50s, shaping coffee culture in the U.S.
  • The term 'percolating' is often used metaphorically in movies and literature to describe ideas that are developing slowly.
  • As a concept, percolation has inspired themes in various songs and poetry, symbolizing the brewing of thoughts or feelings.

Psychology

  • In cognitive psychology, ideas can 'percolate' in our minds when we're not actively thinking of them, leading to spontaneous insights.
  • When discussing social dynamics, percolation refers to how behaviors or trends slowly spread through a population over time.
  • The concept of percolation is also applied in behavioral therapy, where new ideas are introduced gradually to patients.

Education

  • In learning, percolation is likened to how concepts build up gradually in studentsโ€™ minds until they grasp a broader understanding.
  • Teachers often encourage students to let their ideas percolate before discussing them, fostering deep critical thinking.
  • Research shows that incubation, or allowing ideas to percolate, can enhance creative problem-solving skills.

Origin of 'percolating'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'percolare,' meaning to strain through, reflecting its original use in filtering liquids.
  • First used in English in the early 17th century, it originally described how water flowed through coffee grounds.
  • The use of 'percolate' in science emerged in the late 19th century, especially in chemistry and physics.

The word 'percolate' originates from the Latin verb 'percolare', which means 'to strain through' or 'to filter'. This Latin term is a combination of 'per-', meaning 'through', and 'colare', meaning 'to strain'. The word entered the English language in the early 19th century, initially referring to the process of brewing coffee, where water filters through coffee grounds to extract flavor. Over time, its meaning expanded to include various contexts involving the movement and filtering of liquids, as well as the transmission of ideas and information.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,312, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.