- Drain
- Drain Drain (dr[=a]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drained}
(dr[=a]nd); 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.
[1913 Webster]
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry. --Motley. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain, Filled the capacious deep and formed the main. --Roscommon. [1913 Webster]
3. To filter. [1913 Webster]
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.