[ 'sʌɪf(ə)n ]
(also syphon )
■ noun
1》 a tube used to convey liquid upwards from a container and then down to a lower level, the flow being forced initially by suction or immersion and maintained by the different fluid pressures at the tube openings.
2》 Zoology a tubular organ in an aquatic animal through which water is drawn in or expelled.
■ verb
1》 draw off or convey (liquid) by means of a ~.
2》 draw off (small amounts of money) over a period of time, especially illicitly: he's been ~ing money off the firm.
Derivatives
~age noun
~al adjective ( Zoology )
~ic -'fɒnɪk adjective
Origin
ME: from Fr., or via L. from Gk siphōn 'pipe'.