Definition

1. Noun:

   • A tube or pipe used to convey liquid from a higher level to a lower level: A siphon is a tube that uses atmospheric pressure to draw liquid over the rim of a container and down to a lower point.
   • A tubular anatomical structure: In zoology, a siphon is a tubular organ in some aquatic animals, such as mollusks, used for drawing in or expelling water.

2. Verb:

   • To draw off or convey a liquid using a siphon: The action of moving a liquid from one container to another through a tube by means of atmospheric pressure.
   • To divert or channel something, often in a continuous or stealthy manner: Used figuratively to mean transferring something, especially funds or resources, from one place to another.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He used a siphon to transfer gasoline from the drum into the car's tank.
  • The clam uses its siphon to filter water for food and oxygen.

• Verb:

  • We had to siphon the water out of the flooded basement.
  • The corrupt official was found to have siphoned public money into private accounts.

Advanced Usage

• "To siphon off": This phrasal verb is commonly used to describe the act of diverting something, especially money or resources, illicitly or gradually.
  • The manager was accused of siphoning off company profits for personal use.

Variants and Related Words

• Syphon: An alternative spelling for "siphon," used with the same meaning.
• Siphonal (adj): Relating to or resembling a siphon.
• Siphonage (n): The action or process of siphoning.

Synonyms

• Noun: Tube, conduit, pipe.
• Verb: Draw off, drain, transfer, divert, channel.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Siphon off: To divert or draw off something, typically funds or a liquid.
  • They discovered a scheme to siphon off donations meant for the charity.

Related Idioms

• No direct common idioms feature the word "siphon." However, the phrasal verb "siphon off" is often used in financial or resource-related contexts to imply unauthorized diversion.

Noun

1. a tubular organ in an aquatic animal (especially in mollusks) through which water can be taken in or expelled
2. a tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that atmospheric pressure forces the liquid through the tube

Verb

1. move a liquid from one container into another by means of a siphon or a siphoning action
   • siphon gas into the tank
2. convey, draw off, or empty by or as if by a siphon