I. ˈdril verb
Etymology: Dutch drillen
Date: 1619
transitive verb
1.
a. : to fix something in the mind or habit pattern of by repetitive instruction
drill pupils in spelling
b. : to impart or communicate by repetition
impossible to drill the simplest idea into some people
c. : to train or exercise in military drill
2.
a.
(1) : to bore or drive a hole in
(2) : to make by piercing action
drill a hole
b. : to shoot with or as if with a gun
c.
(1) : to propel (as a ball) with force or accuracy
drill ed a single to right field
(2) : to hit with force
drill ed the batter with the first pitch
intransitive verb
1. : to make a hole with a drill
2. : to engage in an exercise
• drill·abil·i·ty ˌdri-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• drill·able -lə-bəl adjective
• drill·er ˈdri-lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1611
1. : an instrument with an edged or pointed end for making holes in hard substances by revolving or by a succession of blows ; also : a machine for operating such an instrument
2. : the act or exercise of training soldiers in marching and in executing prescribed movements with a weapon
3.
a. : a physical or mental exercise aimed at perfecting facility and skill especially by regular practice
b. : a formal exercise by a team of marchers
c. : the approved, correct, or usual procedure for accomplishing something : routine
4.
a. : a marine snail ( Urosalpinx cinerea ) destructive to oysters by boring through their shells and feeding on the soft parts
b. : any of several mollusks related to the drill
5. : a drilling sound
III. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1644
: a western African baboon ( Mandrillus leucophaeus syn. Papio leucophaeus ) having a black face and brown coat and closely related to the typical mandrills
IV. noun
Etymology: perhaps from drill small stream, from obsolete drill to trickle, drip
Date: 1727
1.
a. : a shallow furrow or trench into which seed is sown
b. : a row of seed sown in such a furrow
2. : a planting implement that makes holes or furrows, drops in the seed and sometimes fertilizer, and covers them with earth
V. transitive verb
Date: circa 1740
1. : to sow (seeds) by dropping along a shallow furrow
2.
a. : to sow with seed or set with seedlings inserted in drills
b. : to distribute seed or fertilizer in by means of a drill
VI. noun
Etymology: short for drilling
Date: 1743
: a durable cotton twilled fabric