filter

fil-ter · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A device or material that removes unwanted substances from a liquid or gas passing through it.

  2. 2.

    To pass a liquid or gas through a filter to remove impurities.

  3. 3.

    A screen or attachment that absorbs or modifies light, sound, or electronic signals.

  4. 4.

    To move gradually or in small amounts.

  5. 5.

    (computing) A program or setting that processes data to include or exclude certain items.

  6. 6.

    To select or sort according to specific criteria.

Forms

plural: filters

Related words

See also: purify, sieve, strain
Synonyms: screen, sieve, strainer

Etymology

From Medieval Latin filtrum ("felt, filter"), from Frankish filtir ("felt"), of Germanic origin. Felt was commonly used as a filtering material in ancient times.