drag|on /dræ gən/ (dragons ) N‑COUNT In stories and legends, a dragon is an animal like a big lizard. It has wings and claws, and breathes out fire.
dragon|fly /dræ gənfla I / (dragonflies ) N‑COUNT Dragonflies are brightly-coloured insects with long, thin bodies and two sets of wings. Dragonflies are often found near slow-moving water.
dra|goon /drəguː n/ (dragoons , dragooning , dragooned ) VERB If someone dragoons you into doing something that you do not want to do, they persuade you to do it even though you try hard not to agree. □ [V n + into ] …the history professor who had dragooned me into taking the exam.
drain ◆◇◇ /dre I n/ (drains , draining , drained )
1 VERB If you drain a liquid from a place or object, you remove the liquid by causing it to flow somewhere else. If a liquid drains somewhere, it flows there. □ [V n adv/prep] Miners built the tunnel to drain water out of the mines. □ [V n] Now the focus is on draining the water. □ [V prep/adv] Springs and rivers that drain into lakes carry dissolved nitrates and phosphates.
2 VERB If you drain a place or object, you dry it by causing water to flow out of it. If a place or object drains , water flows out of it until it is dry. □ [V n] Vast numbers of people have been mobilised to drain flooded land. □ [V ] The soil drains freely and slugs aren't a problem.
3 VERB If you drain food or if food drains , you remove the liquid that it has been in, especially after it has been cooked or soaked in water. □ [V n] Drain the pasta well, arrange on four plates and pour over the sauce. □ [V ] Wash the leeks thoroughly and allow them to drain.
4 N‑COUNT A drain is a pipe that carries water or sewage away from a place, or an opening in a surface that leads to the pipe. □ Tony built his own house and laid his own drains.
5 VERB If the colour or the blood drains or is drained from someone's face, they become very pale. You can also say that someone's face drains or is drained of colour. [LITERARY ] □ [V + from ] Harry felt the colour drain from his face. □ [V + of ] Thacker's face drained of colour. □ [be V -ed + of ] Jock's face had been suddenly drained of all colour. [Also V n from n]
6 VERB If something drains you, it leaves you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. □ [V n] My emotional turmoil had drained me. ● drained ADJ □ United left the pitch looking stunned and drained. ● drain|ing ADJ □ This work is physically exhausting and emotionally draining.
7 N‑SING [usu adj N ] If you say that something is a drain on an organization's finances or resources, you mean that it costs the organization a large amount of money, and you do not consider that it is worth it. □ [+ on ] …an ultra-modern printing plant, which has been a big drain on resources.
8 → see also brain drain
9 VERB If you say that a country's or a company's resources or finances are drained , you mean that they are used or spent completely. □ [be V -ed] The state's finances have been drained by war. □ [V n] The company has steadily drained its cash reserves.
10 PHRASE If you say that something is going down the drain , you mean that it is being destroyed or wasted. [INFORMAL ] □ They were aware that their public image was rapidly going down the drain.
11 PHRASE If you say that a business is going down the drain , you mean that it is failing financially. [INFORMAL ] □ Small local stores are going down the drain.
drain|age /dre I n I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Drainage is the system or process by which water or other liquids are drained from a place. □ Line the pots with pebbles to ensure good drainage.
drain|board /dre I nbɔː r d/ (drainboards ) N‑COUNT A drainboard is the same as a draining board . [AM ]
drai n|ing board (draining boards ) N‑COUNT The draining board is the place on a sink unit where things such as cups, plates, and cutlery are put to drain after they have been washed. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use drainboard
drain|pipe /dre I npa I p/ (drainpipes ) N‑COUNT A drainpipe is a pipe attached to the side of a building, through which rainwater flows from the roof into a drain. □ He evaded police by climbing through a window and shinning down a drainpipe.
drake /dre I k/ (drakes ) N‑COUNT A drake is a male duck.
dram /dræ m/ (drams ) N‑COUNT A dram is a small measure of whisky. [mainly SCOTTISH ] □ [+ of ] …a dram of whisky. □ Would you care for a dram?
dra|ma ◆◇◇ /drɑː mə/ (dramas )
1 N‑COUNT A drama is a serious play for the theatre, television, or radio. □ He acted in radio dramas.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You use drama to refer to plays in general or to work that is connected with plays and the theatre, such as acting or producing. □ He knew nothing of Greek drama. □ She met him when she was at drama school.
3 N‑VAR You can refer to a real situation which is exciting or distressing as drama . □ There was none of the drama and relief of a hostage release. COLLOCATIONS drama NOUN 1
noun + drama : comedy, costume, courtroom, period, sci-fi; cop, crime, detective; radio, TV
adjective + drama : comic, fact-based, historical, romantic; gripping; one-off SYNONYMS drama NOUN 3