filter Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun device that removes something from whatever passes through it
noun an electrical device that alters the frequency spectrum of signals passing through it
verb remove by passing through a filter
filtrate; separate out; filter out; strain.
- filter out the impurities
verb pass through
permeate; sink in; percolate.
- Water permeates sand easily
verb run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
trickle; dribble.
- water trickled onto the lawn from the broken hose
- reports began to dribble in

F. filtre, the same word as feutre felt, LL. filtrum, feltrum, felt, fulled wool, this being used for straining liquors. See Feuter.

Any porous substance, as cloth, paper, sand, or charcoal, through which water or other liquid may passed to cleanse it from the solid or impure matter held in suspension; a chamber or device containing such substance; a strainer; also, a similar device for purifying air.

Cf. F. filter. See Filter, n., and cf. Filtrate.

imperfect & past participle Filtered ; present participle & verbal noun Filtering

To purify or defecate, as water or other liquid, by causing it to pass through a filter.