(also sy·phon ) / ˈsaɪfn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a tube that is used for moving liquid from one container to another, using pressure from the atmosphere
■ verb [ vn , usually + adv. / prep. ]
1.
to move a liquid from one container to another, using a siphon :
I siphoned the gasoline out of the car into a can.
The waste liquid needs to be siphoned off.
2.
( informal ) to remove money from one place and move it to another, especially dishonestly or illegally
SYN divert :
She has been accused of siphoning off thousands of pounds from the company into her own bank account.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from French , or via Latin from Greek siphōn pipe. The verb dates from the mid 19th cent.