Drain v. t. [imp. & p. p. Drained p. pr. & vb. n. Draining.]
1. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent. --Bacon.
But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry. --Motley.
2. To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain,
Filled the capacious deep and formed the main. --Roscommon.
3. To filter.
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh. --Bacon.
drained
adj 1: emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or
other liquid); "a drained marsh"; "a drained tank"; "a
drained and apathetic old man...not caring any longer
about anything" [ant: undrained]
2: very tired [syn: knackered]
3: drained of electric charge; discharged; "a dead battery";
"left the lights on and came back to find the battery
drained" [syn: dead]