trickle
UK: ˈtrɪk(ə)l | US: ˈtrɪk(ə)l
vi. to flow or fall in drops or in a thin stream
vt. to cause something to flow slowly or gradually
n. a small, slow, or irregular flow of liquid
trickle = trick<to flow drip by drip> + le<frequentative verb suffix>
- trick (from Middle English triklen, meaning "to flow drip by drip," likely of imitative origin)
- le (a frequentative suffix in English, indicating repeated or ongoing action, as in sparkle, dazzle)
Etymology Origin:
The word trickle likely originated as an onomatopoeic term, imitating the sound of liquid dripping or flowing lightly. The root trick evokes the idea of small, intermittent drops, while the suffix -le reinforces the repetitive nature of the action. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe anything moving slowly or in small quantities (e.g., information, people).
Water began to trickle down the rocks after the rain.
News about the event trickled out over several days.
She let the sand trickle through her fingers.
A trickle of visitors entered the museum early in the morning.
The faucet was broken, and water trickled incessantly.