■ verb ( past drew ; past participle ~n )
1》 produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper.
↘trace or produce (a line) on a surface.
2》 pull or drag (a vehicle) so as to make it follow behind.
↘pull or move (something) in a specified direction.
↘pull (curtains) shut or open.
3》 arrive at a specified stage or point in time: the campaign drew to a close.
4》 extract from a container or receptacle: he drew his gun.
↘( ~ from ) obtain from (a particular source).
↘( ~ on ) use as a resource: Sue has a lot of experience to ~ on.
5》 take in (a breath).
↘( ~ on ) suck smoke from (a cigarette or pipe).
↘(of a chimney or fire) allow air to flow in and upwards freely, so that a fire can burn.
6》 be the cause of (a specified response).
↘attract to a place or an event.
↘induce to reveal or do something: he refused to be ~n on what would happen.
↘direct or attract (someone's attention).
7》 conclude by deduction or inference.
↘make (a comparison or distinction).
8》 finish (a contest or game) with an even score.
9》 Bowls cause (a bowl) to travel in a curve to the desired point.
↘ Golf hit (the ball) so that it travels slightly to the left (for a left-handed player, the right).
10》 make (wire) by pulling metal through successively smaller holes.
11》 (of a ship) require (a specified depth of water) to float in.
12》 (of a sail) be filled with wind.
13》 historical disembowel.
14》 Hunting search (cover) for game.
■ noun
1》 an act of selecting names randomly, to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.
2》 a game or match that ends with the scores even.
↘ Cricket a game which is left incomplete for lack of time. Compare with tie .
3》 an attractive or interesting person or thing: the big city was a powerful ~ to youngsters.
4》 an act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette.
↘ informal cannabis.
5》 Golf a shot which ~s the ball.
Phrases
~ blood cause someone to bleed.
~ someone's fire attract hostile criticism away from a more important target.
~ the line at set a limit of what one is willing to do or accept.
Phrasal verbs
~ back choose not to take an expected course of action.
~ in (of successive days) become shorter or (of nights) start earlier, because of the changing seasons.
~ on (of a period of time) approach its end.
~ out (of successive days) become longer because of the changing seasons.
~ someone out subtly persuade someone to be more talkative.
~ something out prolong or extend something.
~ up come to a halt.
~ something up prepare a plan or document in detail.
Origin
OE dragan , of Gmc origin; related to draught .
Usage
On the confusion of ~ and ~er , see usage at ~er .