drain

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Related terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -eɪn

[edit] Etymology

Middle English dreinen (verb) from Old English drēahnian (“‘to drain, strain, filter’”) from Proto-Germanic *draug- "dry", akin to Old English drūgian (“‘to dry up’”), drūgaþ (“‘dryness, drought’”), Old English drȳge (“‘dry’”). More at dry

[edit] Noun

drain (plural drains)

1. A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume.

   The drain in the kitchen sink is clogged.

2. Something consuming resources and providing nothing in return.

   That rental property is a drain on our finances.

3. (vulgar) An act of urination.

[edit] Related terms

• down the drain

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to drain (third-person singular simple present drains, present participle draining, simple past and past participle drained)

1. (intransitive) To lose liquid.

   The clogged sink drained slowly.

2. (transitive, ergative) To cause liquid to flow out of.

   Please drain the sink. It's full of dirty water.

3. (transitive, ergative) To convert a perennially wet place into a dry one.

   They had to drain the swampy land before the parking lot could be built.

4. (transitive) To deplete of energy or resources.

   The stress of this job is really draining me.

5. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (transitive) To explore a drain or other tunnel system

[edit] Derived terms

• drainage
• drain the lizard (vulgar)

[edit] Translations