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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

draw off en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, transitive) To remove by using a siphon.
    • The butler drew off wine from a barrel.
  2. (dated, slang, transitive) To distract (someone).
    • We need a diversion to draw them off.
  3. (intransitive) To retire or retreat.
    • The dog obeyed the significant beck of his finger, and they drew off, stealthily, together. 1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], Oliver Twist; […], volume (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC:
    • One of the lynxes moved; it drew off a little farther, as though deciding to abandon the fight. 1966, Robert William Murphy, The Phantom Setter, and Other Stories, page 102:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
drawing off Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
drew off Tense=Past lexicographic
drawn off Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
draws off Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic