percolate

/ˈpɜːrkəleɪt/
verb
  1. (of a liquid or gas) to filter or pass through a porous substance or small holes.
    • The oil slowly percolated through the sand, spreading across the beach.
    • Coffee grounds allow hot water to percolate through them, extracting flavor.
    • The rainwater percolates through the soil and into the underground aquifer.
  2. To spread gradually through a group or society.
    • The rumor percolated through the office before anyone could stop it.
    • Changes in fashion tend to percolate slowly from big cities to small towns.
    • New ideas often percolate from the grassroots up to the leadership.
  3. To become lively or active again after a period of quiet.
    • Her creativity percolated as she sat in the peaceful garden.
    • After a slow morning, the party finally began to percolate around noon.
    • The economy is starting to percolate after years of recession.
What does "percolate" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean