Draught

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɹɑːft/
• US IPA: /dɹæft/
• UK Rhymes: -ɑːft
• US Rhymes: -æft
• Homophones: draft

Alternative forms

• draft US

Origin

From Old English dræht, from Proto-Germanic *drahtiz, noun form of *draganą (see draw).

Full definition of draught

Noun

1. The action or an act of pulling something along, especially a beast of burden, vehicle or tractor.
• Sir W. TempleA general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement.
2. The act of drawing, or pulling back.
• SpenserShe sent an arrow forth with mighty draught.
3. That which is drawn.
• L'EstrangeHe laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which brought him a very great draught.
4. That which draws, such as a team of oxen or horses.
5. Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw; traction.
• MortimerThe Hertfordshire wheel plough ... is of the easiest draught.
6. The act of drawing up, marking out, or delineating; representation.
7. A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written, designed, or drawn; a delineation; a draft.
• MacaulayA draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the Parliament by a private member.
• SouthNo picture or draught of these things from the report of the eye.
8. A current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle).
• Charles DickensHe preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in ... a strong draught of air, until he was again sent for.
9. (maritime) The depth below the water line to the bottom of a vessel's hull.
10. An amount of liquid that is drunk in one swallow.She took a deep draught from the bottle of water.
• 1851, Herman Melville, ,“Drink and pass!” he cried, handing the heavy charged flagon to the nearest seaman. “The crew alone now drink. Round with it, round! Short draughts—long swallows, men; ’tis hot as Satan’s hoof.
11. The act of drawing in a net for fish.
• 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Luke V:he sayde vnto Simon: Cary vs into the depe, and lett slippe thy nett to make a draught.
• Sir M. HaleUpon the draught of a pond, not one fish was left.
12. (British) A game piece used in the game of draughts.
13. (Australia) A type of beer, brewed using a top-fermenting yeast; ale.
14. (UK, Ireland) Beer drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
15. (dated) A dose of medicine in liquid form.
• 1919, William Somerset Maugham, ,Finally I gave him a draught, and he sank into uneasy slumber.
16. (medicine, obsolete) A mild vesicatory.to apply draughts to the feet
17. The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, so that it can be drawn from the sand without damaging the mould.
18. (obsolete) A privy.
• 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Matthew XV:Then sayde Jesus: are ye yett withoute understondinge? perceave ye not, that whatsoever goeth in at the mouth, descendeth doune into the bely, and ys cast out into the draught?
• 1623, William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens:Rid me these Villaines from your companies;
  Hang them, or stab them, drowne them in a draught,
  Confound them by some course, and come to me,
  Ile giue you Gold enough.
19. (obsolete) A drawing or picture.
• 1646, Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, V.22:And therefore, for the whole process, and full representation, there must be more than one draught; the one representing him in station, the other in session, another in genuflexion.
20. (obsolete) A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy.
• Spenserdrawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when he looketh not for you
21. (military) The act of selecting or detaching soldiers; a draft.
22. (military) The force drawn; a detachment; a draft.

Synonyms

• (game) checkers
• (mouthful of liquid) swig

Related terms

• draft
• draughts
• draughtboard
• draughtsman
• draught horse
• draughty
• draw

Verb

1. To draw out; to call forth. See draft.
2. To diminish or exhaust by drawing.
• Sir Walter ScottThe Parliament so often draughted and drained.
3. To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.