filter

Main Entry:: ¹fil·ter
Pronunciation:: \ˈfil-tər\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English filtre, from Medieval Latin filtrum piece of felt used as a filter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German filz felt — more at felt
Date:: 1563

1 a: a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension b: an apparatus containing a filter medium2 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 filter3: something that has the effect of a filter (as by holding back elements or modifying the appearance of something) <his work is too often viewed through the filter of race — Brent Staples>4: software for sorting or blocking access to certain online material

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