percolates

Percolates is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb percolate. It is used to describe the act of filtering a liquid through a porous material, or to describe the gradual spread of something—such as water, ideas, or information—through a surrounding medium.

In the context of coffee making, percolation refers to the process by which hot water continuously passes through coffee grounds in some brewing devices. A percolator cycles water through the grounds, extracting flavors as the brew moves through the bed of grounds and recirculates. Percolation can lead to stronger or more bitter coffee if extraction is excessive.

In geology and hydrology, percolation describes the movement of water through soil or rock due to gravity and the presence of pores. The rate of percolation depends on porosity, permeability, moisture, and the size and connectivity of pores. Percolation is a key concept in groundwater flow, soil drainage, and contaminant transport.

In everyday language, percolates is often used metaphorically to suggest that a thought, plan, or piece of information is slowly spreading or taking hold. For example, a rumor might percolate through a community, or a new policy idea might percolate through an organization.

Etymology: percolate comes from Latin percolare, meaning to filter through, with the English form appearing in the 17th century. Related terms include percolation, permeation, and diffusion. See also percolation theory, filtration, diffusion.