sink

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   (technology) a process that acts to absorb or remove energy or a substance from a system

   the ocean is a sink for carbon dioxide

2. 2
   verb

   To move or be moved into something.

   A stone sinks in water.  The sun gradually sank in the west.

3. 3
   verb

   To diminish or be diminished.

   But open converse is there none, ⁠So much the vital spirits sink ⁠To see the vacant chair, and think, ‘How good! how kind! and he is gone.’

4. 4
   verb

   To conceal and appropriate.

   If you are sent with ready money to buy anything at a shop, and happen at that time to be out of pocket, sink the money, and take up the goods on your master's account.

5. 5
   verb

   To keep out of sight; to suppress; to ignore.

   I say not always dishonorable qualifications, but a certain flexibility of disposition; a certain courtly willingness to sink obnoxious truths, and adapt ourselves to the prejudices of the minds of others […]

6. 6
   verb

   To drink (especially something alcoholic).

   So let's sink another drink / 'Cause it'll give me time to think

7. 7
   verb

   To pay absolutely.

   I have sunk thousands of pounds into this project.

8. 8
   verb

   To reduce or extinguish by payment.

   to sink the national debt

Etymology

From Middle English synken, from Old English sincan, from Proto-West Germanic *sinkwan, from Proto-Germanic *sinkwaną, from Proto-Indo-European *sengʷ- (“to fall, sink”). Compare West Frisian sinke, Low German sinken, Dutch zinken, German sinken, Danish and Norwegian Bokmål synke, Swedish sjunka. In the causative sense, it replaced Old English senċan (“make sink”) from Proto-Germanic *sankwijaną.