n. & v. (also syphon)
--n.
1. a pipe or tube shaped like an inverted V or U with unequal legs to convey a liquid from a container to a lower level by atmospheric pressure.
2 (in full siphon-bottle) an aerated-water bottle from which liquid is forced out through a tube by the pressure of gas.
3 Zool. a a canal or conduit esp. in cephalopods. b the sucking-tube of some insects etc.
--v.tr. & intr. (often foll. by off)
1. conduct or flow through a siphon.
2 divert or set aside (funds etc.).
Derivatives:
siphonage n. siphonal adj. siphonic adj.
Etymology: F siphon or L sipho -onis f. Gk siphon pipe