Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Drain?

\Drain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Draining}.] [AS. drehnigean to drain, strain; perh. akin to E. draw.] 1. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of. Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent. --Bacon. But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry. --Motley. 2. To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie. Sinking waters, the firm land to drain, Filled the capacious deep and formed the main. --Roscommon. 3. To filter. Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh. --Bacon.
\Drain\, v. i. 1. To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off. 2. To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.
\Drain\, n. 1. The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country. 2. That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink. 3. pl. The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains. [Eng.] --Halliwell. {Box drain}, {Counter drain}. See under {Box}, {Counter}. {Right of drain} (Law), an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another. --Kent.