Draining

drain  (drn)

v. drained, drain·ing, drains

v.tr.

1. To draw off (a liquid) by a gradual process: drained water from the sink.

2.

a. To cause liquid to go out from; empty: drained the bathtub; drain the pond.

b. To draw off the surface water of: The Mississippi River drains a vast area.

3. To drink all the contents of: drained the cup.

4.

a. To deplete gradually, especially to the point of complete exhaustion. See Synonyms at deplete.

b. To fatigue or spend emotionally or physically: The day's events completely drained me of all strength.

v.intr.

1. To flow off or out: Gasoline drained slowly from the tilted can.

2. To become empty by the drawing off of liquid: watched the tub slowly drain.

3. To discharge surface or excess water: The Niagara River drains into Lake Ontario. When flooded, the swamp drains northward.

4. To become gradually depleted; dwindle: felt his enthusiasm draining.

n.

1. A pipe or channel by which liquid is drawn off.

2. Medicine A device, such as a tube, inserted into the opening of a wound or body cavity to facilitate discharge of fluid or purulent material.

3. The act or process of draining.

4.

a. A gradual outflow or loss; consumption or depletion: the drain of young talent by emigration.

b. Something that causes a gradual loss: interruptions that are a drain on my patience.

Idiom:

down the drain

To or into the condition of being wasted or lost: All of our best laid plans are down the drain.

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[Middle English dreinen, to strain, drain, from Old English drahnian.]

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draina·ble adj.

drainer n.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

draining - having a debilitating effect; "an exhausting job in the hot sun" exhausting debilitating - impairing the strength and vitality