draft

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An early version of a piece of writing that you may still change.

   I have to revise the first draft of my essay.

2. 2
   verb

   To write the first version of something such as a letter, plan, or speech.

   She drafted a quick reply and asked me to check it.

3. 3
   noun

   The system of ordering people by law to serve in the military.

   He left the country to avoid the draft.

4. 4
   noun

   Beer or other drink served from a barrel rather than a bottle or can.

   They serve several local beers on draft.

A phonetic spelling of draught (compare laughter), from Middle English draught, draght (“that which is pulled; that which is drawn up, a design”), from Old English *dreaht, *dræht, from Proto-West Germanic *drahti, *drahtu, from Proto-Germanic *drahtuz (“a pulling, drawing”). Cognate with Dutch dracht, German Tracht, Icelandic dráttur. By surface analysis, draw + -t.

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