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Percolation: meaning, definitions and examples

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percolation

 

[ˌpɜːrkəˈleɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

liquid filtration

Percolation is the process of a liquid slowly passing through a porous substance or filter.

Synonyms

filtrate, filtration, seepage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
percolation

This word is often used in scientific or ecological contexts to describe the movement of liquids through porous materials, such as soil. It implies a gradual process.

  • The percolation of rainwater through the soil helps to replenish groundwater reserves
  • Engineers studied the percolation rate of the soil before building the foundation
filtration

Used to describe the process of removing particles from a liquid or gas by passing it through a filter. It's common in both scientific and everyday contexts, such as water purification.

  • Filtration is an essential step in ensuring the water we drink is clean
  • The filtration system in the lab removes impurities from the solutions
seepage

This word is often used in environmental or construction contexts to refer to the slow, gradual flow of a liquid (usually water) through small openings or pores, often unnoticed.

  • Seepage from the underground tank was contaminating the soil
  • Engineers monitored the site to check for any signs of seepage
filtrate

This term is typically used in laboratory settings or chemical processes to refer to the liquid that has passed through a filter, leaving solids behind.

  • The clear liquid in the container is the filtrate obtained after filtering the mixture
  • They analyzed the filtrate to determine its chemical composition

Examples of usage

  • The percolation of water through the coffee grounds creates the delicious beverage we enjoy.
  • Proper drainage is essential to prevent water percolation into the building foundation.
Context #2 | Noun

statistical physics

In statistical physics, percolation refers to the phenomenon of connectivity in random networks.

Synonyms

connectivity, linkage, networking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
percolation

Primarily used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter or porous substance. It can also relate metaphorically to the slow spread of information or ideas.

  • The percolation of rainwater through the soil nourishes the plants.
  • The percolation of new policies through the organization took several months.
connectivity

Refers to the state of being connected or interlinked, often used in technology, telecommunications, and social contexts to describe networks or relationships.

  • The new software aims to improve connectivity between devices.
  • Rural areas often struggle with poor internet connectivity.
networking

Predominantly used in a professional or social context to describe the act of building and maintaining relationships for mutual benefit, often within business or career development.

  • Networking at conferences can open up new career opportunities.
  • Effective networking is crucial for entrepreneurs.
linkage

Often used to describe the physical or metaphorical connection between two or more entities. Common in technical, biological, and organizational discussions.

  • The linkage between the two engines ensures they operate in unison.
  • There is a strong linkage between diet and health.

Examples of usage

  • The study of percolation theory helps us understand the behavior of complex systems.
  • Percolation models are used to analyze the spread of diseases in populations.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'percolatus', meaning 'to strain through'.
  • It originally described the process of filtering liquids in chemistry before becoming widely used in other fields, like education and environmental science.

Science

  • In geology, percolation is important for understanding how water moves through soil and affects groundwater levels.
  • Environmental scientists study percolation to assess how pollutants spread through soil and water systems.

Literature

  • Authors like John Steinbeck have used the idea of percolation metaphorically to describe ideas or emotions slowly filtering through characters.
  • In poetry, percolation can symbolize the slow and subtle processes of change or growth, often compared to natural cycles.

Pop Culture

  • The famous coffee brewing method called 'percolator' became popular in the mid-20th century, symbolizing café culture.
  • In the movie 'Coffee and Cigarettes', the process of brewing coffee serves as a backdrop for conversations, highlighting the theme of daily rituals.

Psychology

  • Cognitive scientists use the term 'percolation' to describe how thoughts or ideas develop gradually in the mind.
  • The concept is linked to creativity, where initial ideas percolate in the subconscious before surfacing as fully formed thoughts.

Translations

Translations of the word "percolation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 percolação

🇮🇳 प्रस्रवण

🇩🇪 Perkolation

🇮🇩 perkolasi

🇺🇦 перколяція

🇵🇱 perkolacja

🇯🇵 ろ過 (ろか)

🇫🇷 percolation

🇪🇸 percolación

🇹🇷 süzülme

🇰🇷 여과

🇸🇦 ترشيح

🇨🇿 perkolace

🇸🇰 perkolácia

🇨🇳 渗透 (shèntòu)

🇸🇮 perkolacija

🇮🇸 síun

🇰🇿 сүзілу

🇬🇪 გატეხვა

🇦🇿 süzülmə

🇲🇽 percolación

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,145, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.