SIPHON


Meaning of SIPHON in English

[ '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'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.