v.
(past drew; past part. drawn)
- produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper.
▸trace or produce (a line) on a surface.
- pull or drag (a vehicle) so as to make it follow behind.
▸pull or move (something) in a specified direction.
▸pull (curtains) shut or open.
- arrive at a specified stage or point in time:
the campaign drew to a close.
- extract from a container or receptacle:
he drew his gun.
▸
(draw from)
obtain from (a particular source).
▸
(
draw on)
use as a resource:
Sue has a lot of experience to draw on.
- take in (a breath).
▸
(draw on)
suck smoke from (a cigarette or pipe).
▸(of a chimney or fire) allow air to flow in and upwards freely, so that a fire can burn.
- be the cause of (a specified response).
▸attract to a place or an event.
▸induce to reveal or do something:
he refused to be drawn on what would happen.
▸direct or attract (someone's attention).
- conclude by deduction or inference.
▸make (a comparison or distinction).
- finish (a contest or game) with an even score.
- Bowls cause (a bowl) to travel in a curve to the desired point.
▸Golf hit (the ball) so that it travels slightly to the left (for a left-handed player, the right).
- make (wire) by pulling metal through successively smaller holes.
- (of a ship) require (a specified depth of water) to float in.
- (of a sail) be filled with wind.
- historical disembowel.
- Hunting search (cover) for game.
n.
- an act of selecting names randomly, to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.
- a game or match that ends with the scores even.
▸Cricket a game which is left incomplete for lack of time. Compare with tie.
- an attractive or interesting person or thing:
the eclipse was a big tourist draw.
- an act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette.
▸informal cannabis.
- Golf a shot which draws the ball.
Phrase
- draw blood
cause someone to bleed. - draw someone's fire
attract hostile criticism away from a more important target. - draw the line at
set a limit of what one is willing to do or accept.
Phrase verbal
- draw back
choose not to take an expected course of action. - draw in
(of successive days) become shorter or (of nights) start earlier, because of the changing seasons. - draw on
(of a period of time) approach its end. - draw out
(of successive days) become longer because of the changing seasons. - draw someone out
subtly persuade someone to be more talkative. - draw something out
prolong or extend something. - draw up
come to a halt. - draw something up
prepare a plan or document in detail.
Usage
On the confusion of draw and drawer, see usage at drawer.
Etymology
OE dragan, of Gmc origin; rel. to draught.