Exhaust

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔːst

Origin

From Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire ("to draw out, drink up, empty, exhaust"), from ex ("out") + haurire ("to draw (especially water), drain").

Full definition of exhaust

Verb

1. To draw or let out wholly; to drain off completely; as, to exhaust the water of a well; the moisture of the earth is exhausted by evaporation.
2. To empty by drawing or letting out the contents; as, to exhaust a well, or a treasury.
3. To drain, metaphorically; to use or expend wholly, or till the supply comes to an end; to deprive wholly of strength; to use up; to weary or tire out; to wear out; as, to exhaust one's strength, patience, or resources.A decrepit, exhausted old man at fifty-five. --Motley.
4. To bring out or develop completely; to discuss thoroughly; as, to exhaust a subject.
5. (chemistry) To subject to the action of various solvents in order to remove all soluble substances or extractives; as, to exhaust a drug successively with water, alcohol, and ether.

Synonyms

• spend, consume
• tire out, weary

Related terms

• exhaustion
• exhaustive

Noun

1. A system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged; see also exhaust system.
2. The steam let out of a cylinder after it has done its work there.
3. The foul air let out of a room through a register or pipe provided for the purpose.
• 2006, w, Internal Combustion Chapter 1, If successful, Edison and Ford—in 1914—would move society away from the...hazards of gasoline cars: air and water pollution, noise and noxiousness, constant coughing and the undeniable rise in cancers caused by smoke exhaust particulates.
4. An exhaust pipe, especially on a motor vehicle.
5. Short for .

Derived terms

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Exhausted; used up.