leach

v. to remove chemicals or minerals from a solid, like soil or rock, by passing water through it.

v. to extract a soluble constituent from a solid by the action of a percolating liquid.

“Heavy rain can cause nutrients to leach out of the soil, leaving it poor for farming.”

“If the landfill is not properly sealed, toxic chemicals may leach into the local groundwater and contaminate the drinking supply.”

Technical

v. to slowly lose a quality, feeling, or strength over time.

v. to drain away or be removed gradually; used figuratively to describe the loss of abstract qualities.

“The long, cold winter seemed to leach the energy from everyone in the village.”

“Years of corporate bureaucracy had leached the enthusiasm from the design team, leaving them cynical and uninspired.”

Literary

n. a container or tank used to wash chemicals out of materials like wood ash or bark.

n. a vat or vessel used for the process of leaching, particularly in traditional industries like tanning or soap-making.

“The old tannery used a large wooden leach to process the tree bark.”

“Archaeologists discovered a stone leach at the site, suggesting the inhabitants produced their own lye for soap production.”

Technical · Archaic