n.
Pronunciation: ' dr ā n
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English draynen, from Old English dr ē ahnian ― more at DRY
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 obsolete : FILTER
2 a : to draw off (liquid) gradually or completely < drain ed all the water out> b : to cause the gradual disappearance of < drain the region's wealth> c : to exhaust physically or emotionally <feeling drain ed at the end of a long workday>
3 a : to make gradually dry < drain a swamp> b : to carry away the surface water of <the river that drain s the valley> c : to deplete or empty by or as if by drawing off by degrees or in increments < drain ed the country of its resources> d : to empty by drinking the contents of < drain a mug of beer>
4 : DROP 7C , SINK < drain ed the putt>
intransitive verb
1 a : to flow off gradually b : to disappear gradually : DWINDLE
2 : to become emptied or freed of liquid by its flowing or dropping <waiting for the tub to drain >
3 : to discharge surface or surplus water
synonyms see DEPLETE
– drain · er noun