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.). siphonage n. siphonal adj. siphonic adj.
[ F siphon or L sipho -onis f. Gk siphon pipe ]