First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1draw
verb \ˈdrȯ\
: to make (a picture, image, etc.) by making lines on a surface especially with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc., but not usually with paint
: to cause (attention) to be given to someone or something
: to cause (someone or something) to come : to attract (someone or something)
drew \ˈdrü\ drawn \ˈdrȯn, ˈdrän\ draw·ing
Full Definition of DRAW
transitive verb
1
: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance : pull <draw your chair up by the fire>: as a : to move (as a covering) over or to one side <draw the drapes> b : to pull up or out of a receptacle or place where seated or carried <draw water from the well> <drew a gun>; also : to cause to come out of a container or source <draw water for a bath> <the nurse drew a blood sample> <the wound drew blood>
2
: to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading) <drew him aside>
3
a : to bring by inducement or allure : attract <honey draws flies> b : to bring in or gather from a specified group or area <a college that draws its students from many states> c : bring on, provoke <drew enemy fire> d : to bring out by way of response : elicit <drew cheers from the audience> e : to receive in the course of play <the batter drew a walk> <draw a foul>
4
: inhale <drew a deep breath>
5
a : to extract the essence from <draw tea> b : eviscerate <plucking and drawing a goose before cooking> c : to derive to one's benefit <drew inspiration from the old masters>
6
: to require (a specified depth) to float in <a ship that draws 12 feet of water>
7
a : accumulate, gain <drawing interest> b : to take (money) from a place of deposit c : to use in making a cash demand <drawing a check against his account> d : to receive regularly or in due course <draw a salary>
8
a : to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer b : to receive or take at random <drew a winning number>
9
: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
10
: to cause to shrink, contract, or tighten
11
a : to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward spin b : to strike (a golf ball) so that a slight to moderate hook results
12
: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
13
a (1) : to produce a likeness or representation of by making lines on a surface <draw a picture> <draw a graph with chalk> (2) : to give a portrayal of : delineate <a writer who draws characters well> b : to write out in due form <draw a will> c : to design or describe in detail : formulate <draw comparisons>
14
: to infer from evidence or premises <draw a conclusion>
15
: to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering or by pulling through dies; also : to shape (as plastic) by stretching or by pulling through dies
intransitive verb
1
: to come or go steadily or gradually <night draws near>
2
a : to move something by pulling <drawing at the well> b : to exert an attractive force <the play is drawing well>
3
a : to pull back a bowstring b : to bring out a weapon <drew, aimed, and fired>
4
a : to produce a draft <the chimney draws well> <draw on a cigar> b : to swell out in a wind <all sails drawing>
5
a : to wrinkle or tighten up : shrink b : to change shape by pulling or stretching
6
: to cause blood or pus to localize at one point
7
: to create a likeness or a picture in outlines : sketch
8
: to come out even in a contest
9
a : to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit b : to obtain resources (as of information) <drawing from a common fund of knowledge>
— draw·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective
— draw a bead on
: to take aim at
— draw a blank
: to fail to gain a desired object (as information sought); also : to be unable to think of something
— draw on or draw upon
: to use as a source of supply <drawing on the whole community for support>
— draw straws
: to decide or assign something by lottery in which straws of unequal length are used
— draw the line or draw a line
1
: to fix an arbitrary boundary between things that tend to intermingle
2
: to fix a boundary excluding what one will not tolerate or engage in
See draw defined for English-language learners
See draw defined for kids
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Origin of DRAW
Middle English drawen, dragen, from Old English dragan; akin to Old Norse draga to draw, drag
2draw
noun
: someone or something that causes a lot of people to come to a place
: the final result of a game, contest, etc., that does not have a winner
: an act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
Full Definition of DRAW
1
2
: something that is drawn: as a : a card drawn to replace a discard in poker b : a lot or chance drawn at random c : the movable part of a drawbridge
3
: a contest left undecided or deadlocked : tie
4
: one that draws attention or patronage : attraction
5
a : the distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow b : the force required to draw a bow fully
6
: a gully shallower than a ravine
7
: the deal in draw poker to improve the players' hands after discarding
8
: a football play that simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up the middle past the pass rushers
9
: a slight to moderate and usually intentional hook in golf
See draw defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRAW
1663
DRAW Defined for Kids
1draw
verb \ˈdrȯ\
drew \ˈdrü\drawn \ˈdrȯn\draw·ing
Definition of DRAW for Kids
1
: to cause to move by pulling <Draw the curtains, please.> <She drew a chair up to the table.>
2
: to create a picture of by making lines on a surface <I drew a map on the chalkboard.>
3
: to bring or pull out <Draw your sword!>
4
: to move in a particular direction <He drew back in horror.>
5
: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
6
: to move or go slowly or steadily <Spring is drawing near.>
7
: attract 2 <The fair drew a crowd.> <He didn't want to draw attention to himself.>
8
: to get as a response <The speech drew cheers.>
9
: to bring or get from a source <draw blood>
10
: inhale 1 <Draw a deep breath.>
11
: to let air flow through <The fireplace is drawing well.>
12
: withdraw 1 <I drew money from the bank.>
13
: to take or get at random <We drew names from a hat.>
14
: to think of after considering information <draw a conclusion>
15
: to write out in proper form <The lawyer drew up her will.>
— draw on
1
: to make use of something <The story draws on old legends.>
2
: to come closer <Night draws on.>
— draw out
1
: to make last longer <Questions drew out the meeting.>
2
: to cause to talk freely <Her friendliness drew out the new student.>
— draw up
1
: to bring or come to a stop <The car drew up to the door.>
2
: to straighten up <He drew himself up to his full height.>
2draw
noun
Definition of DRAW for Kids
1
: the act or the result of pulling out <The outlaw was quick on the draw.>
2
: a tie game or contest
3
: something or someone that attracts people <The roller coaster is the park's main draw.>
Medical Dictionary
draw
verb \ˈdrȯ\
drew \ˈdrü\ drawn \ˈdrȯn\ draw·ing
Medical Definition of DRAW
transitive verb
1
: to cause to move toward or localize in a surface <using a poultice to draw inflammation to a head>; especially : to cause (an unwanted element) to depart (as from the body or a lesion) <this will help draw the poison>
2
: inhale <she drew a deep breath>
3
: to remove the viscera of : eviscerate
intransitive verb
1
: to cause local congestion : induce blood or other body fluid to localize at a particular point : be effective as a blistering agent or counterirritant—used of a poultice and comparable means of medication
2
of a lesion : to become localized—used in the phrase draw to a head
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