Drain — Defs

01 v. t. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.

imp. & p. p. Drained; p. pr. & vb. n. Draining

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.

02 v. i. To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.

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.

03 n. The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project i…

1.
The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.
2.
That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
3.
The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains.[Eng.]

Phrases & compounds

Box drain — See under Box, Counter.

Right of drain — an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another.