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Drain vs Empty - What's the difference?

drain | empty |

In transitive ergative terms the difference between drain and empty

is that drain is to convert a perennially wet place into a dry one while empty is to make empty; to void; to remove the contents of.

As nouns the difference between drain and empty

is that drain is a conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume while empty is a container, especially a bottle, whose contents have been used up, leaving it empty.

As verbs the difference between drain and empty

is that drain is to lose liquid while empty is to make empty; to void; to remove the contents of.

As an adjective empty is

devoid of content; containing nothing or nobody; vacant.

drain

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-03, volume=101, issue=2, page=114, magazine=(American Scientist)
    • , author=Frank Fish, George Lauder , title= Not Just Going with the Flow , passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex . The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain , as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}
  • An access point or conduit for rainwater that drains directly downstream in a (drainage) basin without going through sewers or water treatment in order to prevent or belay floods.
  • Something consuming resources and providing nothing in return.
  • (label) An act of urination.
  • (label) The name of one terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).

    • Derived terms

    * circle the drain * down the drain * drain fly

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To lose liquid.
    • The clogged sink drained slowly.
  • To flow gradually.
    • The water of low ground drains off.
  • (ergative) To cause liquid to flow out of.
    • Please drain the sink. It's full of dirty water.
  • (ergative) To convert a perennially wet place into a dry one.
    • They had to drain the swampy land before the parking lot could be built.
  • To deplete of energy or resources.
    • The stress of this job is really draining me.
  • To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to exhaust.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent.
  • * Motley
    • But it was not alone that he drained their treasure and hampered their industry.
  • (obsolete) To filter.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh.
  • (pinball) To fall off the bottom of the playfield.
  • * 1990 , Steven A. Schwartz, Compute's Nintendo Secrets
    • When a ball finally drains , it's gulped down by a giant gator beneath the set of flippers.

    Derived terms

    * drainage * drain the lizard (vulgar)

    Anagrams

    *

    empty

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Devoid of content; containing nothing or nobody; vacant.
    • an empty''' purse; an '''empty''' jug; an '''empty stomach
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 23 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Man Utd 1 - 6 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=United's stature is such that one result must not bring the immediate announcement of a shift in the balance of power in Manchester - but the swathes of empty seats around Old Trafford and the wave of attacks pouring towards David de Gea's goal in the second half emphasised that City quite simply have greater firepower and talent in their squad at present.}}
  • (computing, programming) Containing no elements (as of a string or array), opposed to being null (having no valid value).
  • (obsolete) Free; clear; devoid; often with of .
  • * Milton
    • that fair female troop empty of all good
  • * Shakespeare
    • I shall find you empty of that fault.
  • Having nothing to carry; unburdened.
  • * Shakespeare
    • an empty messenger
  • * Bible, Exodus iii. 21
    • When ye go ye shall not go empty .
  • Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; said of language.
    • empty words, or threats
  • * Cibber
    • Words are but empty thanks.
  • Unable to satisfy; hollow; vain.
    • empty pleasures
  • * Alexander Pope
    • pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise
  • Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial.
    • empty dreams
  • (obsolete) Producing nothing; unfruitful; said of a plant or tree.
    • an empty vine
  • * Bible, Genesis xli. 27
    • seven empty ears blasted with the east wind
  • Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy.
    • empty''' brains; an '''empty coxcomb
  • * Shakespeare
    • that in civility thou seem'st so empty

    Synonyms

    * (devoid of content) unoccupied, clear, , toom, clean

    Antonyms

    * full

    Derived terms

    * empty-handed * emptiness * empty product * empty set * empty sum

    Verb

  • (ergative) To make empty; to void; to remove the contents of.
    • to empty a well or a cistern
    The cinema emptied quickly after the end of the film.
  • * Bible, Eccl. xi. 3
    • The clouds empty themselves upon the earth.

    Antonyms

    * fill

    Derived terms

    * empty the tank

    Noun

    (empties)
  • A container, especially a bottle, whose contents have been used up, leaving it empty.
    • Put the empties out to be recycled.

    Derived terms

    * emptiness * run on empty

    External links

    * * English refractory feminine rhymes 1000 English basic words