drain English · revision 8027

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=gem-pro *drauʒnōjaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɹeɪn/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English dreynen, [[inh|ang|drēahnian|t=to draw off gradually; strain out]], drēhnian,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) from Proto-Germanic *drauʒnōjanan, apparently from the root of [[dry]] and [[drought]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) giving the word an original sense of to make dry.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To strain or filter a liquid: about 1000 in Barnhart and the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Barnhart notes that the word seems to have disappeared after the Old English period and reappeared in the 16th century,^(Barnhart 1988) although Trevisa has dreynen, to strain, before 1398.^(Barnhart 1988) To draw off liquid gradually is from 1538 in the OED (1440 in Barnhart).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) To flow off gradually is from 1587 (the 1580s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and to drink to the last drop from 1602.^(OED 1989) Figuratively, to exhaust, it is from about 1660 (the 1650s).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun, a channel or pipe for carrying off water, is from 1372 in Barnhart, the early 14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A gradual outflow of money or resources is from 1721,^(Etymonline) and the colloquial ''down the drain'', wasted, by 1930.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – to strain.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1372 – a channel (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1538 – to draw off liquid.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1660 – to exhaust.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1721 – a drain on resources.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1930 – down the drain.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To draw off a liquid gradually, or to empty something of liquid.^(AHD)

+ # To flow away or become empty.^(AHD)

+ # To drink the whole contents of.^(AHD)

+ # To use up or exhaust gradually.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[pipe]] or channel that carries away water or sewage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that steadily uses up resources or energy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(surgery)'' A tube inserted to let fluid escape from a wound.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[drainable]]

+ * [[drainer]]

+ * [[underdrain]]

+ * [[drainboard]]

+ * [[drainless]]

+ * [[drainpipe]]

+ * [[overdrain]]

+ * [[drainage]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dry]]

+ * [[drought]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}