Definition

1. Noun:

   • A tube used to convey liquid from a higher container to a lower one: A device that uses atmospheric pressure to move liquid over the edge of a container and down to a lower level without the need for a pump.
   • A tubular anatomical structure: A tube-like organ in some aquatic animals, especially mollusks, used for drawing in or expelling water.

2. Verb:

   • To convey or draw off a liquid using a syphon: To transfer a liquid from one container to another by means of a syphon tube.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

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

• Verb:

  • We need to syphon the water out of the flooded basement.
  • The mechanic syphoned the old oil from the engine.

Advanced Usage

• "To syphon off": To divert or draw something away, often gradually, secretly, or improperly.
  • The corrupt official was accused of syphoning off public funds for personal use.
  • The new highway syphoned off traffic from the congested city center.

Variants and Related Words

• Siphon: This is the more common and preferred spelling in modern English for both the noun and verb. "Syphon" is a variant spelling.
• Siphonage (n): The action or process of using a siphon.
• Siphonal (adj): Relating to or having a siphon (used in biology, e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Noun (for the tube): Tube, hose, conduit.
• Verb (for the action): Draw off, drain, transfer, pump, extract.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Syphon off: (See "Advanced Usage" above). To divert or remove something, especially money or resources.
  • The company was found to be syphoning off profits to avoid taxes.

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms are based solely on the word "syphon." However, the phrasal verb "to syphon off" is often used in economic or political contexts to describe the illicit diversion of funds.

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. convey, draw off, or empty by or as if by a siphon