dreɪn v. & n. --v. 1 tr.
draw off liquid from, esp.: a
make (land etc.)
dry by
providing an
outflow for moisture. b (of a river)
carry off
the superfluous water of (a district). c
remove purulent matter from (an abscess). 2 tr. (foll. by off, away) draw off (liquid)
esp. by a
pipe. 3 intr. (foll. by
away, off, through)
flow or
trickle away. 4 intr. (of a
wet cloth, a
vessel, etc.)
become dry as liquid flows away (put it
there to drain). 5 tr. (often foll. by of)
exhaust or
deprive (a
person or thing) of
strength, resources,
property, etc. 6 tr. a
drink (liquid) to the dregs. b
empty (a vessel) by drinking the contents. --n. 1 a a channel,
conduit, or pipe carrying off liquid, esp. an
artificial conduit for water or
sewage. b a
tube for
drawing off the
discharge from an
abscess etc. 2 a
constant outflow,
withdrawal, or
expenditure (a
great drain on my resources). ødown the drain colloq.
lost, wasted.
laugh like a drain laugh copiously;
guffaw. [OE dre(a)hnian f. Gmc]
