I. ˈdrān verb
Etymology: Middle English draynen, from Old English drēahnian — 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
II. noun
Date: 1552
1. : a means (as a pipe) by which usually liquid matter is drained
2.
a. : the act of draining
b. : a gradual outflow or withdrawal : depletion
3. : something that causes depletion : burden
4. : an electrode in a field-effect transistor toward which charge carriers move — compare gate , source
•
- down the drain