tr.v., -at·ed, -at·ing, -ates.

To wash or percolate the soluble matter from.

[Late Latin lixīvium, lye (from Latin lixīvius, of lye, from lix, lye) + –ATE¹.]

lixiviation lix·iv'i·a'tion n.

(lĭk-sĭv'ē-ā'shən)
n.

The removal of the soluble constituents of a substance by the action of a percolating liquid. Also called leaching.

lix·iv'i·ate' (lĭk-sĭv'ē-āt') v.

Separation of soluble from insoluble material by use of an appropriate solvent, and drawing off the solution.

[fr. L. lixivus, made into lye; fr. lix, ashes, lye]
1) to impregnate with lixivium or lye
2) to subject to a washing process for the purpose of separating soluble material from that which is insoluble; to leach, as ashes, for the purpose of extracting the alkaline substances