I. ˈdrȯ verb
( drew ˈdrü ; drawn ˈdrȯn, ˈdrän ; draw·ing )
Etymology: Middle English drawen, dragen, from Old English dragan; akin to Old Norse draga to draw, drag
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance : pull
draw your chair up by the fire
as
a. : to move (as a covering) over or to one side
draw the drapes
b. : to pull up or out of a receptacle or place where seated or carried
draw water from the well
drew a gun
also : to cause to come out of a container or source
draw water for a bath
the nurse drew a blood sample
the wound drew blood
2. : to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading)
drew him aside
3.
a. : to bring by inducement or allure : attract
honey draw s flies
b. : to bring in or gather from a specified group or area
a college that draw s its students from many states
c. : bring on , provoke
drew enemy fire
d. : to bring out by way of response : elicit
drew cheers from the audience
e. : to receive in the course of play
the batter drew a walk
draw a foul
4. : inhale
drew a deep breath
5.
a. : to extract the essence from
draw tea
b. : eviscerate
plucking and draw ing a goose before cooking
c. : to derive to one's benefit
drew inspiration from the old masters
6. : to require (a specified depth) to float in
a ship that draw s 12 feet of water
7.
a. : accumulate , gain
draw ing interest
b. : to take (money) from a place of deposit
c. : to use in making a cash demand
draw ing a check against his account
d. : to receive regularly or in due course
draw a salary
8.
a. : to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer
b. : to receive or take at random
drew a winning number
9. : to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
10. : to cause to shrink, contract, or tighten
11.
a. : to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward spin
b. : to strike (a golf ball) so that a slight to moderate hook results
12. : to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
13.
a.
(1) : to produce a likeness or representation of by making lines on a surface
draw a picture
draw a graph with chalk
(2) : to give a portrayal of : delineate
a writer who draw s characters well
b. : to write out in due form
draw a will
c. : to design or describe in detail : formulate
draw comparisons
14. : to infer from evidence or premises
draw a conclusion
15. : to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering or by pulling through dies ; also : to shape (as plastic) by stretching or by pulling through dies
intransitive verb
1. : to come or go steadily or gradually
night draw s near
2.
a. : to move something by pulling
draw ing at the well
b. : to exert an attractive force
the play is draw ing well
3.
a. : to pull back a bowstring
b. : to bring out a weapon
drew, aimed, and fired
4.
a. : to produce a draft
the chimney draw s well
draw on a cigar
b. : to swell out in a wind
all sails draw ing
5.
a. : to wrinkle or tighten up : shrink
b. : to change shape by pulling or stretching
6. : to cause blood or pus to localize at one point
7. : to create a likeness or a picture in outlines : sketch
8. : to come out even in a contest
9.
a. : to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit
b. : to obtain resources (as of information)
draw ing from a common fund of knowledge
• draw·able -ə-bəl adjective
•
- draw a bead on
- draw a blank
- draw on
- draw straws
- draw the line
II. noun
Date: 1663
1. : the act or process of drawing: as
a. : a sucking pull on something held with the lips
b. : a removal of a handgun from its holster
quick on the draw
c. : backward spin given to a ball by striking it below center — compare follow
2. : something that is drawn: as
a. : a card drawn to replace a discard in poker
b. : a lot or chance drawn at random
c. : the movable part of a drawbridge
3. : a contest left undecided or deadlocked : tie
4. : one that draws attention or patronage : attraction
5.
a. : the distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow
b. : the force required to draw a bow fully
6. : a gully shallower than a ravine
7. : the deal in draw poker to improve the players' hands after discarding
8. : a football play that simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up the middle past the pass rushers
9. : a slight to moderate and usually intentional hook in golf