n.
Pronunciation: ' l ē ch
Function: verb
Etymology: leach vessel through which water is passed to extract lye
Date: 1796
transitive verb
1 : 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 components
3 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 leach ed from my life>
intransitive verb : to pass out or through by percolation
– leach · abil · i · ty \ ˌ l ē -ch ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– leach · able \ ' l ē -ch ə -b ə l \ adjective
– leach · er noun