percolate
UK[ˈpɜː.kə.leɪt]US[ˈpɜːr.kə.leɪt]
v
(of a liquid, gas, light, or information) to move gradually through a substance that has very small holes in it.
v
(of an idea, feeling, or piece of information) to become gradually known by or spread to more people.
v
to prepare (coffee) or be prepared in a percolator.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
colare
per
through
colare
to filter/strain
Etymology
The word 'percolate' entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin 'percolatus', the past participle of 'percolare'. This Latin verb is a compound of the prefix 'per-' (meaning "through") and 'colare' (meaning "to strain"). The literal sense is "to strain through". This perfectly captures the core action of the word: a liquid passing through a porous medium, like water through coffee grounds or soil. Over time, the concept was metaphorically extended to describe the gradual spread or diffusion of non-physical things, such as information or ideas, through a group or society, mirroring the slow, filtering process of a liquid.
Analysis
Structure: per (through) + colare (to filter/strain)
per: a Latin prefix meaning "through, thoroughly".
colare: from the Latin verb 'colare', meaning "to strain or filter".
Examples
rainwater percolates through the soil to replenish the groundwater.
news of the scandal began to percolate through the office.
i could smell the coffee percolating in the kitchen.