percolate
Significado: To filter or seep gradually through a porous surface or substance. Figuratively, to spread slowly through a group of people or a system.
Percolate operates in both physical and metaphorical registers. Physically, water percolates through soil or coffee grounds — a slow, gravity-driven filtration. Figuratively, ideas percolate through organisations, rumours percolate through communities, and innovations percolate from research labs into commercial products. The word always implies gradual, unhurried movement rather than sudden arrival. 'Percolate down' and 'percolate through' are the standard collocations. In economics, the discredited 'trickle-down' theory is essentially a percolation metaphor.
Ejemplos
- Groundwater percolates through layers of limestone, acquiring the mineral content that gives the spring its distinctive taste. 地下水渗透过石灰岩层,获得了赋予该泉水独特味道的矿物质成分。Las aguas subterráneas percolan a través de capas de piedra caliza, adquiriendo el contenido mineral que confiere al manantial su sabor distintivo.地下水は石灰岩の層を通して浸透し、その泉に独特の味わいを与える鉱物成分を取り込む。지하수는 석회암 층을 통해 침투하면서 그 샘물에 독특한 맛을 부여하는 광물 성분을 흡수한다.
- It took several years for the findings of the academic study to percolate through to mainstream policy debate. 该学术研究的成果花了好几年时间才逐渐渗透到主流政策辩论中。Los hallazgos del estudio académico tardaron varios años en percolar hasta el debate político general.その学術研究の知見が主流の政策議論にまで浸透するには数年かかった。그 학술 연구의 결과가 주류 정책 논의에까지 스며드는 데 수년이 걸렸다.
- The idea had been percolating in the back of her mind for months before she finally committed it to paper. 这个想法已在她脑海中酝酿了好几个月,然后她才终于将其付诸纸上。La idea había estado percolando en el fondo de su mente durante meses antes de que finalmente la pusiera por escrito.そのアイデアは彼女の頭の中で何か月もの間醸成されていたが、ようやく紙に書き留めるに至った。그 아이디어는 몇 달 동안 그녀의 머릿속에서 서서히 무르익다가 마침내 글로 옮겨졌다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: academic, journalism, general
Tono: neutral
Origen e historia
From Latin percolare (to strain through), from per- (through) + colare (to strain, filter). Entered English in the 17th century, with the figurative sense developing in the 19th.
Contexto cultural
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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