filter
Separates wanted, unwanted
A filter is something that selectively allows passage—a coffee filter lets liquid through while trapping grounds, an air filter catches particles.
The concept extends to selection criteria: a spam filter blocks unwanted emails, a photo filter alters color or tone.
To filter is to pass through such a device or process: Filter the results by date.
Information that filters down or filters through reaches people gradually and indirectly.
Interlocking open weave
- strainerPerforated draining vessel
- colanderKitchen bowl for draining
- sieveMesh filtering utensil
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
netting · lattice · perforated · cheesecloth · gauze · membrane · porous · coarse
Choosing with care
- discriminateTreat unequally based on category
- screen outFilter out unwanted elements
- weed outRemove unwanted elements
- cullSelective removal
winnow · sift · sort · triage · prioritize · qualify · vet · gatekeep
Make something understandable
- distillPurify through vaporization
- separateTo set apart
- extractConcentrated derived substance
- concentrateReduced, potent form
isolate · strain · decant · skim · precipitate · centrifuge · fractionate · leach
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- reverse osmosisPressure-driven membrane filtration
- deionizationRemoval of ionic content
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
sediment · contaminant · impurity · particulate · micron · cartridge · charcoal · activated carbon
Finite problem-solving procedure
- searchAct of seeking
- sortMethod of ordering
- queryRequest for information
- criteriaStandards for judgment
parameter · spam · keyword · content · data · exclude · include · whitelist
What evens things out
- reverbProlonged sound reflection
- delayEnforced waiting period
- chorusSingers performing together
- flangerAudio modulation effect
phaser · distortion · compression · high-pass · low-pass · band-pass · notch · parametric
Selective light-wave filter
- UVInvisible solar radiation
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- color gelTranslucent film for lamps
- diffuserDevice that scatters evenly
lens · camera · photographic · light · wavelength · spectrum · dichroic · bandpass
Self-reinforcing information environment
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
- personalizationTailoring to individual needs
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
newsfeed · recommendation · curated · insular · polarization · confirmation bias · exposure · viewpoint
mesh
Interlocking open weave
grating · netting · lattice · perforated · cheesecloth · gauze · membrane · porous · coarse · basket
selective
Choosing with care
- discriminateTreat unequally based on category
- screen outFilter out unwanted elements
- weed outRemove unwanted elements
cull · winnow · sift · sort · triage · prioritize · qualify · vet · gatekeep · criteria
clarify
Make something understandable
concentrate · isolate · strain · decant · skim · precipitate · centrifuge · fractionate · leach · percolate
osmosis
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- reverse osmosisPressure-driven membrane filtration
- deionizationRemoval of ionic content
clarification · sediment · contaminant · impurity · particulate · micron · cartridge · charcoal · activated carbon · HEPA
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
criteria · parameter · spam · keyword · content · data · exclude · include · whitelist · blacklist
equalizer
What evens things out
flanger · phaser · distortion · compression · high-pass · low-pass · band-pass · notch · parametric · graphic EQ
polarizer
Selective light-wave filter
- UVInvisible solar radiation
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- color gelTranslucent film for lamps
diffuser · lens · camera · photographic · light · wavelength · spectrum · dichroic · bandpass · interference
echo chamber
Self-reinforcing information environment
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
- personalizationTailoring to individual needs
bias · newsfeed · recommendation · curated · insular · polarization · confirmation bias · exposure · viewpoint · algorithmic
- social mediaposts, post, influencer status, followers, tweet
- auto shopmechanic, oil change, brakes, tires, tire
- narrowing downnarrow, focus, pinpoint, zero in, home in
- photo sharingphotos, photo post, albums, sharing, photo sharing
- porous thingsporous, permeable, sponge, mesh, sieve
- separatesort, sift, divide, split, isolate
- filter outSelectively block passage
- coffee filterPorous brewing insert
- air filterDevice removing airborne particles
- water filterContaminant removal device
- filtered outRemoved by selection criteria
- spam filterSoftware blocking unwanted email
filtered, filters, filtering, air filter, filtration, unfiltered, filtrate, oil filter, filter paper