Draught

Draught, dräft, n. act of drawing: force needed to draw: the act of drinking: the quantity drunk at a time: outline of a picture: that which is taken in a net by drawing: a chosen detachment of men: a current of air: the depth to which a ship sinks in the water.—v.t. (more commonly Draft), to draw out.—n. Draught′-en′gine, the engine over the shaft of a coal-pit.—n.pl. Draught′-hooks, large iron hooks fixed on the cheeks of a cannon-carriage.—ns. Draught′-house (B.), a sink, privy; Draught′iness; Draught′-net, a drag-net.—n.pl. Draughts, a game in which two persons make alternate moves (draughts) on a checkered board, called the Draught′board, with pieces called Draughts′men—U.S. checkers, Scot. dambrod.—n. Draughts′man (see Draftsman).—adj. Draught′y, full of draughts or currents of air. [M. E. draht—A.S. dragan, to draw. See Drag, v., and Draw.]