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fil·ter
 filter
- pronunciation:
- fIl
t
 r
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a piece of paper or other porous material, such as charcoal, used to remove solids or other impurities from fluids or gases that pass through it.
- similar words:
- leach, screen, strainer
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| definition 2: |
a device for controlling or modifying the intensity or character of light or sound.
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| definition 3: |
an apparatus that consists of or holds a filter.
- synonyms:
- screen, sieve, strainer
- similar words:
- colander, sifter
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| related words: |
aperture, trap |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
filtered, filtering, filters |
| definition 1: |
to remove impurities from (something) by, or as if by, using a filter.
- synonyms:
- clarify, filtrate, purify, strain
- similar words:
- cleanse, clear, percolate, refine
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| definition 2: |
to separate out by the use of a filter.
- synonyms:
- filtrate, strain
- similar words:
- leach
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| definition 3: |
to serve as a filter for.
Charcoal filters smoke.- similar words:
- clarify, filtrate, purify, strain
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| related words: |
screen |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to go through or as if through a filter.
Sunshine filtered through the fog.- synonyms:
- filtrate, percolate, strain
- similar words:
- dribble, leak, ooze, seep, trickle
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| related words: |
soak |
| derivation: |
filterer (n.) |
Filter is from a Latin word that means "felt," a fabric once used to filter liquids.
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