Drain /(drān)/
Drain
v. t.
imp. & p. p. Drained; p. pr. & vb. n. Draining
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To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent.
But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry.
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To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain, Filled the capacious deep and formed the main.
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To filter.
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh.
Drain
v. i.
- To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.
- To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.
Drain
n.
- The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.
- That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
- The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains. [Eng.]
Phrases & Compounds
- Box drain
- See under Box, Counter.
- Right of drain
- an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another.