filter

Noun

1. A device which separates a suspended, dissolved, or particulate matter from a fluid, solution, or other substance; any device that separates one substance from another.
2. Electronics or software that separates unwanted signals (for example noise) from wanted signals or that attenuates selected frequencies.
3. Any item, mechanism, device, or procedure that acts to separate or isolate.
4. (figuratively) Self-restraint in speech.
5. A non-empty upper set (of a partially ordered set) which is closed under binary infima (a.k.a. meets).
6. A translucent object placed in the light path of a camera to remove certain wavelengths (colors), or a computer program that simulates such an effect.
7. An appearance-altering digital image effect.

Verb

1. (transitive) To sort, sift, or isolate.
2. (transitive) To diffuse; to cause to be less concentrated or focused.
3. (intransitive) To pass through a filter or to act as though passing through a filter.
4. (intransitive) To move slowly or gradually; to come or go a few at a time.
5. (intransitive) To ride a motorcycle between lanes on a road
6. (derogatory, intransitive, slang) To be discouraged where a connoisseur or hardcore fan would not.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈfɪltə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: filtre

Cognate with Old French: feutre

In summary

From Middle English filtre, from Medieval Latin filtrum (compare also Old French feutre (“felt; filter”)), from Frankish *filtir, from Proto-West Germanic *felt. See felt. Doublet of phin.

Synonyms

strain

strainer

sieve

percolate

filtrate

sift

screen

refine

leach

colander

seep

basket

🧺

permeate

drain

penetrate

optical filter

separate out

trickle

filter out

sink in

infiltrate

clarify

distil

distill

purify

process

cleanse

spectral filter

light filter

dribble

color absorber

wave filter

F

filtrator

filter lens

sifter

ooze

clear

exude

leak

gutter

funnel

flux

run out

refinery

flow

filtration

drip

purifier

pump

Translations

filtre

filtrer

Filter

filtro

filtro

filtr

filter

filtern

filtro

φίλτρο

filtrare

filtrar

filtrieren

filtre

filteren

Sentences

A pop filter differs from a microphone windscreen .

They may wear sunglasses designed to filter peripheral light and wide-brimmed sun hats .