siphon
siphon Lexical Profile
siphon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A bent tube or pipe used to draw liquid upward from a container and then downward to a lower level through atmospheric pressure and gravity.
"The mechanic used a plastic siphon to transfer fuel from the reserve tank into the tractor."
A bottle from which carbonated water or another aerated liquid is forced out through a tube by the pressure of gas inside.
"The bartender kept a vintage glass soda siphon on the counter for mixing classic cocktails."
A tubular organ in an aquatic animal, especially a mollusk or tunicate, through which water is drawn in or expelled for respiration, feeding, or locomotion.
"An octopus can propel itself rapidly backward by expelling a jet of water through its muscular siphon."
• verb
To draw off or convey liquid from one container to another by means of a siphon.
"Before cleaning the aquarium, she carefully siphoned half of the water into a bucket."
To divert or take away funds, resources, or profits gradually, often illicitly or unfairly.
"Auditors discovered that the executive had been siphoning money from the charity into offshore accounts."
• Rhymes for siphon
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from French 'siphon', via Latin 'sipho', from Ancient Greek 'siphon', originally meaning a hollow reed, pipe, or tube used for drawing wine from a cask.