1 ADJ If you have to take drastic action in order to solve a problem, you have to do something extreme and basic to solve it. □ Drastic measures are needed to clean up the profession. □ He's not going to do anything drastic about economic policy.
2 ADJ A drastic change is a very great change. □ …a drastic reduction in the numbers of people dying. ● dras|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ As a result, services have been drastically reduced.
draught /drɑː ft, dræ ft/ (draughts )
1 N‑COUNT A draught is a current of air that comes into a place in an undesirable way. [BRIT ] □ Block draughts around doors and windows. in AM, use draft 2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Draught beer is beer which is kept in barrels rather than bottles. □ Draught beer is available too. ● PHRASE Beer that is on draught is kept in and served from a barrel rather than a bottle. □ They drink bitter on draught in the local bar.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Draughts is a game for two people, played with 24 round pieces on a board. [BRIT ] □ He was in the study playing draughts by the fire with Albert. in AM, use checkers 4 N‑COUNT A draught is one of the round pieces which are used in the game of draughts. [BRIT ] in AM, use checker
dra ughts board (draughts boards ) also draught board N‑COUNT A draughts board is a square board for playing draughts, with 64 equal-sized, black and white squares. [BRIT ] in AM, use checkerboard
draughts|man /drɑː ftsmən, dræ fts-/ (draughtsmen ) in AM, use draftsman N‑COUNT A draughtsman is someone whose job is to prepare very detailed drawings of machinery, equipment, or buildings.
draughts|man|ship /drɑː ftsmənʃ I p, dræ fts-/ in AM, use draftsmanship N‑UNCOUNT Draughtsmanship is the ability to draw well or the art of drawing.
draughty /drɑː fti, dræ fti/ (draughtier , draughtiest ) in AM, use drafty ADJ A draughty room or building has currents of cold air blowing through it, usually because the windows and doors do not fit very well.
draw ◆◆◆ /drɔː / (draws , drawing , drew , drawn )
1 VERB When you draw , or when you draw something, you use a pencil or pen to produce a picture, pattern, or diagram. □ [V ] She would sit there drawing with the pencil stub. □ [V n] Draw a rough design for a logo. ● draw|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ I like dancing, singing and drawing.
2 VERB When a vehicle draws somewhere, it moves there smoothly and steadily. □ [V adv/prep] Claire had seen the taxi drawing away.
3 VERB If you draw somewhere, you move there slowly. [WRITTEN ] □ [V adv/prep] She drew away and did not smile. □ [V adj] When we drew level, he neither slowed down nor accelerated.
4 VERB If you draw something or someone in a particular direction, you move them in that direction, usually by pulling them gently. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n prep] He drew his chair nearer the fire. □ [V n adj] He put his arm around Caroline's shoulders and drew her close to him. □ [V n with adv] Wilson drew me aside after an interview.
5 VERB When you draw a curtain or blind, you pull it across a window, either to cover or to uncover it. □ [V n] After drawing the curtains, she lit a candle. □ [V -ed] Mother was lying on her bed, with the blinds drawn.
6 VERB If someone draws a gun, knife, or other weapon, they pull it out of its container and threaten you with it. □ [V n] He drew his dagger and turned to face his pursuers.
7 VERB If an animal or vehicle draws something such as a cart, carriage, or another vehicle, it pulls it along. □ [V n] …a slow-moving tractor, drawing a trailer.
8 VERB If you draw a deep breath, you breathe in deeply once. □ [V n] He paused, drawing a deep breath.
9 VERB If you draw on a cigarette, you breathe the smoke from it into your mouth or lungs. □ [V + on ] He drew on an American cigarette. □ [V n + into ] Her cheeks hollowed as she drew smoke into her lungs. [Also V n with in ]
10 VERB To draw something such as water or energy from a particular source means to take it from that source. □ [V n + from ] Villagers still have to draw their water from wells.
11 VERB If something that hits you or presses part of your body draws blood, it cuts your skin so that it bleeds. □ [V n] Any practice that draws blood could increase the risk of getting the virus.
12 VERB If you draw money out of a bank, building society, or savings account, you get it from the account so that you can use it. □ [V n with out ] She was drawing out cash from a cash machine. □ [V n + from ] Companies could not draw money from bank accounts as cash. [Also V n]
13 VERB If you draw a salary or a sum of money, you receive a sum of money regularly. □ [V n] For the first few years I didn't draw any salary at all.
14 VERB To draw something means to choose it or to be given it, as part of a competition, game, or lottery. □ [V n] We delved through a sackful of letters to draw the winning name. ● N‑COUNT Draw is also a noun. □ …the draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
15 N‑COUNT A draw is a competition where people pay money for numbered or named tickets, then some of those tickets are chosen, and the owners are given prizes.
16 VERB To draw something from a particular thing or place means to take or get it from that thing or place. □ [V n + from ] I draw strength from the millions of women who have faced this challenge successfully.