drain

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A pipe or channel that carries away waste water or liquid.

   The drain in the kitchen sink is blocked.

2. 2
   verb

   To make liquid flow away, or to flow away gradually.

   Drain the water from the pasta before adding the sauce.

3. 3
   verb

   To slowly use up someone's energy, money, or resources.

   Caring for a sick relative drained her of all her energy.

4. 4
   noun

   A gradual loss of money, energy, or resources.

   The long war was a huge drain on the country's finances.

* As an Irish surname, from Ó Dreáin (“descendant of Dreán”), probably from dreán (“wren, songbird”) (see Welsh dryw (“wren”)). * Also as an Irish surname, from Ó Druacháin; see Drohan. * As an English surname, occupational surname related to the noun drain. * Also as an English surname, spelling variant of Drane. * As a French surname, reduced from Derain, from Old French dererain (“the last”), nickname for the youngest son of a family; see derrière (“behind”).

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