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Entry 24 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Draught

/drăft/ · IPA /dɹæft/
01 n. The act of drawing or pulling
  1. 1.
    The act of drawing or pulling
    “A general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement.” — Sir W. Temple.
  2. 2.
    The drawing of a bowstring.[Obs.]
    “She sent an arrow forth with mighty draught.” — Spenser.
  3. 3.
    Act of drawing a net; a sweeping the water for fish.
    “Upon the draught of a pond, not one fish was left.” — Sir M. Hale.
  4. 4.
    The act of drawing liquor into the mouth and throat; the act of drinking.
    “In his hands he took the goblet, but a while the draught forbore.” — Trench.
  5. 5.
    A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy.[Obs.]
    “By drawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when he looketh not for you.” — Spenser.
  6. 6.
    The act of selecting or detaching soldiers; a draft (see Draft, n., 2)(Mil.) See: Draft
  7. 7.
    That which is drawn
    “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” — Luke v. 4.
    “He laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which brought him a very great draught.” — L'Estrange.
  8. 8.
    The force drawn; a detachment; -- in this sense usually written draft.(Mil.)
    “Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery, . . . still thou art a bitter draught.” — Sterne.
    “Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired.” — Goldsmith.
  9. 9.
    A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written, designed, or drawn; a delineation.
    “A draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the Parliament by a private member.” — Macaulay.
    “No picture or draught of these things from the report of the eye.” — South.
  10. 10.
    An order for the payment of money; -- in this sense almost always written draft.(Com.)
    “He preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in . . . a strong draught of air, until he was again sent for.” — Dickens.
  11. 11.
    That which draws(Med.)
  12. 12.
    Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw; traction.
    “The Hertfordshire wheel plow . . . is of the easiest draught.” — Mortimer.
  13. 13.
    The depth of water necessary to float a ship, or the depth a ship sinks in water, especially when laden; as, a ship of twelve feet draught.(Naut.)
  14. 14.
    An allowance on weighable goods. [Eng.] See Draft, 4.(Com.) [Eng.] See: Draft
  15. 15.
    A move, as at chess or checkers.[Obs.]
  16. 16.
    The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, in order that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the mold.
  17. 17.
    See Draft, n., 7.(Masonry) See: Draft
Phrases & compounds
Angle of draught — the angle made with the plane over which a body is drawn by the line in which the pulling force acts, when the latter has the direction best adapted to overcome the obstacles of friction and the weight of the body.
Black draught — See under Black, a.
Blast draught — the draught produced by a blower, as by blowing in air beneath a fire or drawing out the gases from above it.
Natural draught — the draught produced by the atmosphere flowing, by its own weight, into a chimney wherein the air is rarefied by heat.
On draught — so as to be drawn from the wood (as a cask, barrel, etc.) in distinction from being bottled; as, ale on draught.
Sheer draught — See under Sheer.
02 a. Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught beast; draught hooks.
  1. 1.
    Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught beast; draught hooks.
  2. 2.
    Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air.
  3. 3.
    Used in making drawings; as, draught compasses.
  4. 4.
    Drawn directly from the barrel, or other receptacle, in distinction from bottled; on draught; -- said of ale, cider, and the like.
Phrases & compounds
Draught box — See Draught tube, below.
Draught engine — an engine used for pumping, raising heavy weights, and the like.
Draught hook — one of the hooks on a cannon carriage, used in drawing the gun backward and forward.
Draught horse — a horse employed in drawing loads, plowing, etc., as distinguished from a saddle horse or carriage horse.
Draught net — a seine or hauling net.
Draught ox — an ox employed in hauling loads, plowing, etc.
Draught tube — an air-tight pipe extending downward into the tailrace from a turbine wheel located above it, to make the whole fall available; -- called also draught box.
03 v. t. To draw out; to call forth. See Draft.
imp. & p. p. Draughted; p. pr. & vb. n. Draughting
  1. 1.
    To draw out; to call forth. See Draft. See: Draft
  2. 2.
    To diminish or exhaust by drawing.[R.]
    “The Parliament so often draughted and drained.” — Sir W. Scott.
  3. 3.
    To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
Phrases & compounds
Draughting room — a room draughtsmen to work in, and where plans are kept.