elutriate

verb

elu·​tri·​ate ē-ˈlü-trē-ˌāt How to pronounce elutriate (audio)
elutriated; elutriating

transitive verb

: to purify, separate, or remove by washing
elutriation noun
elutriator noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin elutriatus, past participle of elutriare to put in a vat, perhaps from *elutrum vat, from Greek elytron reservoir, literally, covering

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elutriate was circa 1727

Dictionary Entries Near elutriate

Cite this Entry

“Elutriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elutriate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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