drain in English
- drain⇄drain, verb, noun.
- drain⇄expr. drains, dregs.
Ex. I had ... emptied some dull opiate to the drains (Keats). - drain⇄expr. go down the drain,
a. to become worthless.
Ex. His savings went down the drain on a bad investment.
b. to be left out or forgotten.
Ex. Only about thirty new [television] programs are selected each year. The rest go down t - drain⇄noun drainer.
- drain⇄noun 1. a channel, trench, or pipe for carrying off water or waste of any kind.
Ex. She carried the tray back to the kitchen [and] dumped the beer and coffee down the drain (New Yorker).
2. anything that drains.
Ex. Strips of gauze are - drain⇄v.i. 1. to flow off slowly.
Ex. The water drains into a river.
2. to dry; lose moisture by dripping or flowing.
Ex. Set the dishes here to drain.
3. to get rid of its surplus water; find an outlet for water.
Ex. Vast areas - drain⇄v.t. 1. to draw off slowly.
Ex. That ditch drains water from the swamp.
(SYN) remove.
2. to draw water or other liquid from; empty or dry by draining.
Ex. The farmers drained the swamps to get more land for crops.
3. (Fig
drain in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
drain in Kashmiri कॉशुर
drain in Malayalam മലയാളം
drain in Sindhi سنڌي
drain in Tamil தமிழ்
drain
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
dreɪn
Definitions
- As a Noun: A channel or pipe for carrying off surplus liquid, especially rainwater or waste liquids.
- As a Verb: To remove liquid from something by causing it to flow out.
- As a Noun: A gradual depletion or loss, especially of resources, energy, or funds.
- As a Verb: To cause a gradual depletion or loss, such as draining one's energy or finances.
Usage Examples
- The plumber fixed the blocked drain to prevent flooding in the basement.
- After the race, the athletes felt completely drained of energy.
- The constant drain on his savings was a cause for concern.
- He decided to drain the pool to clean it thoroughly.
Etymology
The word "drain" comes from the Old French "dreignier" (meaning "to draw off water") from the Latin "drainare," meaning "to lead off water." The word has been used in English since the 14th century, evolving from its original meaning related to water management to encompass broader senses of depletion or loss.
Synonyms
- Channel
- Pipe
- Gutter
- Exhaust
- Deplete
- Empty
- Drainage
Antonyms
- Fill
- Replenish
- Refill
- Stock
- Charge
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | desagüe | de-sa-gwe |
| French | drain | dræn |
| German | Abfluss | ab-flus |
| Italian | scarico | ska-ree-ko |
| Portuguese | dreno | dre-no |
| Russian | дренаж | dre-nazh |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 排水 | pái shuǐ |
| Japanese | 排水 | haisui |
| Arabic | تصريف | taṣrīf |
| Korean | 배수 | baesu |
| Hindi | नाली | nālī |
| Bengali | নালা | nālā |
| Punjabi | ਨਾਲਾ | nālā |
| Marathi | नाली | nālī |
| Gujarati | નાળા | nāḷā |
| Malayalam | നാളികം | nāḷikaṁ |
| Odia | ନାଳୀ | nāḷī |
| Telugu | నాళా | nāḷā |
| Tamil | நாளி | nāḷi |
| Kannada | ನಾಳಿ | nāḷi |
| Assamese | নালি | nālī |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In certain dialects, "drain" may be pronounced with a softer or harder "a" sound, depending on the region. In some areas of the United States, "drain" is pronounced with a more drawn-out "a," resembling "dreyn." In contrast, other regions might pronounce it with a flatter "a" sound, similar to "dræn." Accents in the UK may feature a more clipped version of the word.
Historical Usage
The term "drain" has been in use since the 14th century, originally referring to the removal of excess water, particularly in areas with poor drainage systems. Over time, the meaning broadened to include the metaphorical use of "draining" something valuable, such as energy or resources. Its usage in the context of sewage and waste management became more widespread during the industrial revolution as sanitation practices developed.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, the concept of a "drain" often extends beyond just physical drainage to symbolize depletion or loss. For example, in some spiritual or philosophical traditions, the term "drain" might be used to refer to the draining of vitality or life force. The imagery of draining away is often used in stories and folklore to represent struggle, exhaustion, or loss of power.
More Information
“Drain” is a versatile word used in a wide range of contexts. Whether referring to the physical removal of water or the gradual depletion of something intangible like energy, the term has deep cultural and historical significance. It remains a crucial concept in fields like plumbing, construction, and environmental science, as well as in everyday conversations about feeling worn out or losing resources.