GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 3 definitions
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Drain (drān), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Drained (drānd); p. pr. & vb. n. Draining.] [AS. drehnigean to drain, strain; perh. akin to E. draw.]
1. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
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Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent. Bacon.
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But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry. Motley.
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2. 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”.
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Sinking waters, the firm land to drain,
Filled the capacious deep and formed the main. Roscommon.
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3. To filter.
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Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh. Bacon.
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Drain, v. i.
1. To flow gradually; as, “the water of low ground drains off”.
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2. To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, “let the vessel stand and drain”.
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Drain, n.
1. 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”.
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2. That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
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3. pl. The grain from the mashing tub; as, “brewers' drains”. [Eng.] Halliwell.
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Box drain, Counter drain. See under Box, Counter. -- Right of drain (Law), an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another. Kent.
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