Definition of: leach

(lēch) v.t.
1. To cause (a liquid) to percolate through something.
2. To percolate a liquid through (ashes, etc.) so as to remove the soluble portions.
3. To remove (soluble portions) by means of a percolating liquid.
4. Metall. To dissolve (metals or minerals) out of ore by cyanide or chlorine solutions, acids, etc.
—v.i.
5. To lose soluble matter by percolation.
6. To be removed by percolations.
—noun
1. Wood ashes, through which water is passed to carry away the soluble portions.
2. The vessel in which ashes, etc., are leached: also leach tub.
3. The act or process of leaching.
4. The solution obtained by leaching. Also spelled latch. ♦ Homophone: leech. [OE leccan wet, irrigate. Akin to LAKE¹, LEAK.]
—leach′er noun