- sink
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v.i.1. to displace part of the volume of a supporting substance or object and become totally or partially submerged or enveloped; fall or descend into or below the surface or to the bottom (often fol. by in or into): The battleship sank within two hours. His foot sank in the mud. Her head sinks into the pillows.2. to fall, drop, or descend gradually to a lower level: The river sank two feet during the dry spell.3. to settle or fall gradually, as a heavy structure: The tower is slowly sinking.4. to fall or collapse slowly from weakness, fatigue, distress, etc.: He gasped and sank to his knees.5. to slope downward; dip: The field sinks toward the highway.6. to go down toward or below the horizon: the sun sinks in the west.7. to penetrate, permeate, or seep (usually fol. by in or into): Wipe the oil off before it sinks into the wood.8. to become engulfed or absorbed in or gradually to enter a state (usually fol. by in or into): to sink into slumber.9. to be or become deeply absorbed or involved in a mood or mental state (usually fol. by in or into): sunk in thought. She sank into despair.10. to pass or fall into some lower state, as of fortune, estimation, etc.; degenerate: to sink into poverty.11. to decline or deteriorate in quality or worth.12. to fail in physical strength or health.13. to decrease in amount, extent, intensity, etc.: The temperature sank to 30° at noon.14. to become lower in volume, tone, or pitch: Her voice sank to a whisper.15. to enter or permeate the mind; become known or understood (usually fol. by in or into): He said it four times before the words really sank in.16. to become concave; become hollow, as the cheeks.17. to drop or fall gradually into a lower position: He sank down on the bench.v.t.18. to cause to become submerged or enveloped; force into or below the surface; cause to plunge in or down: The submarine sank the battleship. He sank his fist into the pillow.19. to cause to fall, drop, or descend gradually.20. to cause to penetrate: to sink an ax into a tree trunk.21. to lower or depress the level of: They sank the roadway by five feet.24. to bring to a worse or lower state or status.25. to bring to utter ruin or collapse: Drinking and gambling sank him completely.26. to reduce in amount, extent, intensity, etc.27. to lower in volume, tone, or pitch.28. to suppress; ignore; omit.29. to invest in the hope of making a profit or gaining some other return: He sank all his efforts into the business.31. Sports.a. to throw, shoot, hit, or propel (a ball) so that it goes through or into the basket, hole, pocket, etc.: She sank the 10 ball into the side pocket.b. to execute (a stroke or throw) so that the ball goes through or into the basket, hole, pocket, etc.: to sink a putt; to sink a free throw.32. sink one's teeth into,a. to bite deeply or vigorously.b. to do or enter into with great enthusiasm, concentration, conviction, etc.: to sink my teeth into solving the problem.n.33. a basin or receptacle, as in a kitchen or laundry, usually connected with a water supply and drainage system, for washing dishes, clothing, etc.34. a low-lying, poorly drained area where waters collect and sink into the ground or evaporate.36. a place of vice or corruption.37. a drain or sewer.38. a device or place for disposing of energy within a system, as a power-consuming device in an electrical circuit or a condenser in a steam engine.39. any pond or pit for sewage or waste, as a cesspool or a pool for industrial wastes.40. any natural process by which contaminants are removed from the atmosphere.[bef. 1000; (v.) ME sinken, OE sincan; c. D zinken, G sinken, ON sokkva, Goth singkwan; (n.) late ME: cesspool, deriv. of the v.]
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Universalium. 2010.