lixiviate

verb

lix·​iv·​i·​ate lik-ˈsi-vē-ˌāt 

lixiviated; lixiviating

transitive verb

: to extract a soluble constituent from (a solid mixture) by washing or percolation

lixiviation

(ˌ)lik-ˌsi-vē-ˈā-shən 

noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin lixivium lye, from lixivius made of lye, from lixa lye — more at liquid

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lixiviate

transitive verb

lix·​iv·​i·​ate lik-ˈsiv-ē-ˌāt 

lixiviated; lixiviating

: to extract a soluble constituent from (a solid mixture) by washing or percolation

lixiviation

(ˌ)lik-ˌsiv-ē-ˈā-shən 

noun