Drain vs Gain - What's the difference?

In lang=en terms the difference between drain and gain

is that drain is to draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to exhaust while gain is to put on weight.

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between drain and gain

is that drain is (obsolete) to filter while gain is (obsolete) straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.

As nouns the difference between drain and gain

is that drain is a conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume while gain is the act of gaining or gain can be (architecture) a square or bevelled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.

As verbs the difference between drain and gain

is that drain is to lose liquid while gain is to acquire possession of what one did not have before.

As a preposition gain is

(obsolete) against.

As an adjective gain is

(obsolete) straight, direct; near; short.

As an adverb gain is

(obsolete) straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.

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

gain

English

Etymology 1

From dialectal English (m), (m), short for (m), . More at (l).

Preposition

(English prepositions)

(obsolete) Against.

Derived terms

* (l)

Etymology 2

From (etyl) (m), (m), , from the adjective.

Adjective

(en adjective)

(obsolete) Straight, direct; near; short.

the gainest way

(obsolete) Suitable; convenient; ready.

(dialectal) Easy; tolerable; handy, dexterous.

(dialectal) Honest; respectable; moderate; cheap.

Derived terms

* (l) * (l)

Adverb

(en adverb)

(obsolete) Straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.

(dialectal) Suitably; conveniently; dexterously; moderately.

(dialectal) Tolerably; fairly.

gain quiet (= fairly/pretty quiet)

Etymology 3

From (etyl) (m), . The Middle English word was reinforced by (etyl) . Related to (l), (l).

Noun

(en noun)

The act of gaining.

* Tennyson

the lust of gain

What one gains, as a return on investment or dividend.

No pain, no gain .

* Shakespeare

Everyone shall share in the gains .

(electronics) The factor by which a signal is multiplied.

Antonyms

* loss

Derived terms

* autogain * gainful * gainsome

Verb

(en verb)

To acquire possession of what one did not have before.

Looks like you've gained a new friend.

* Bible, Matthew xvi. 26

What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

* Alexander Pope

For fame with toil we gain , but lose with ease.

To have or receive advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest, health, or happiness; to make progress.

The sick man gains daily.

* Bible, Ezekiel xxii. 12

Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion.

(dated) To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition.

to gain''' a battle; to '''gain a case at law

To increase.

* 1883 , (Howard Pyle), (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood)

Then they had bouts of wrestling and of cudgel play, so that every day they gained in skill and strength.

To be more likely to catch or overtake an individual.

I'm gaining (on you).

gain ground

To reach.

to gain the top of a mountain

* 1907 , Jack London, The Iron Heel :

Ernest laughed harshly and savagely when he had gained the street.

To draw into any interest or party; to win to one's side; to conciliate.

* Bible, Matthew xviii. 15

If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

* Dryden

to gratify the queen, and gain the court

To put on weight.

I've been gaining .

(of a clock or watch) To run fast.

Etymology 4

Compare (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)

(architecture) A square or bevelled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.

Anagrams

* (l) * (l) * (l), (l) ----