n 1  :  a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension  2  :  an apparatus containing a filter medium  3 a  :  a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)  b  :  a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material - called also color filter 
vb, fil*tered  fil*ter*ing  vt  1  :  to subject to the action of a filter  2  :  to remove by means of a filter vi  :  to pass or move through or as if through a filter .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  fel·la·tor  float·er  flut·ter  phil·ter 
 
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