I. ˈfil-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English filtre, from Medieval Latin filtrum piece of felt used as a filter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German filz felt — more at felt
Date: 1563
1.
a. : a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension
b. : an apparatus containing a filter medium
2.
a. : a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)
b. : a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material — called also color filter
3. : something that has the effect of a filter (as by holding back elements or modifying the appearance of something)
his work is too often viewed through the filter of race — Brent Staples
4. : software for sorting or blocking access to certain online material
II. verb
( fil·tered ; fil·ter·ing -t(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 1576
transitive verb
1. : to subject to the action of a filter
2. : to remove by means of a filter
intransitive verb
1. : to pass or move through or as if through a filter
2. : to come or go in small units over a period of time
people began filter ing in