transitive verb
- to draw off (liquid) gradually
- to draw water or any liquid from gradually so as to dry or empty: to drain swamps
- to receive the waters of: the St. Lawrence drains the Great Lakes
- to drink all the liquid from (a cup, glass, etc.)
- to exhaust (strength, emotions, or resources) gradually
- Obsolete to filter
Origin:
ME dreinen < OE dreahnian, to strain off, lit., to dry out < base of dryge, dry