Dictionary
1drench
noun \ˈdrench\
Definition of DRENCH
1
: a poisonous or medicinal drink; specifically : a large dose of medicine mixed with liquid and put down the throat of an animal
2
a : something that drenches b : a quantity sufficient to drench or saturate
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First Known Use of DRENCH
before 12th century
2drench
verb
: to make (someone or something) completely wet
Full Definition of DRENCH
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to force to drink b : to administer a drench to (an animal)
2
: to wet thoroughly (as by soaking or immersing in liquid)
3
: to soak or cover thoroughly with liquid that falls or is precipitated
4
: to fill or cover completely as if by soaking or precipitation <was drenched in furs and diamonds — Richard Brautigan>
— drench·er noun
See drench defined for English-language learners
See drench defined for kids
Origin of DRENCH
Middle English, from Old English drencan; akin to Old English drincan to drink
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to DRENCH
Synonym Discussion of DRENCH
soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing <soak the garment in soapy water>. saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held <a saturated sponge>. drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured <clothes drenched by a cloudburst>. steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (as a color) to the thing immersed <steep the tea for five minutes>. impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another <a cake strongly impregnated with brandy>.
DRENCH Defined for Kids
drench
verb \ˈdrench\
drencheddrench·ing
Definition of DRENCH for Kids
: to make completely wet <We had pancakes drenched in syrup.>
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