- filter
- [[t]fɪ̱ltə(r)[/t]]
filters, filtering, filtered1) VERB To filter a substance means to pass it through a device which is designed to remove certain particles contained in it.
[V n] The best prevention for cholera is to boil or filter water, and eat only well-cooked food.
2) N-COUNT A filter is a device through which a substance is passed when it is being filtered....a paper coffee filter.
3) N-COUNT A filter is a device through which sound or light is passed and which blocks or reduces particular sound or light frequencies.You might use a yellow filter to improve the clarity of a hazy horizon.
4) VERB If light or sound filters into a place, it comes in weakly or slowly, either through a partly covered opening, or from a long distance away.[V into/through n] Light filtered into my kitchen through the soft, green shade of the honey locust tree.
5) VERB When news or information filters through to people, it gradually reaches them.[V through to n] It took months before the findings began to filter through to the politicians...
[V through n] News of the attack quickly filtered through the college.
[V in] ...as indications filter in from polling stations.
[V out of n] ...the horror stories which were beginning to filter out of Germany.
6) N-COUNT A traffic filter is a traffic signal or lane which controls the movement of traffic wanting to turn left or right. [BRIT]Phrasal Verbs:
English dictionary. 2008.
