siphon
UK: ˈsaɪ.fən | US: ˈsaɪ.fən
n. a tube used to convey liquid upwards from a reservoir and then down to a lower level by gravity
vt. to draw off or convey (liquid) through a siphon
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siphon = siph<tube> + on<noun suffix>
- siph: From Greek siphōn (tube, pipe), referring to a hollow structure for transferring liquids.
- on: A noun-forming suffix in Greek, often retained in scientific or technical terms.
Etymology Origin:
The word siphon traces back to ancient Greek siphōn, meaning "tube" or "pipe." It entered Latin as sipho and later Old French as sifon, retaining its core meaning of a device for moving liquids. The modern spelling and usage reflect its scientific application, emphasizing gravity-driven fluid transfer. The morpheme siph preserves the original Greek root, while on acts as a neutral suffix, typical of borrowed technical terms.
He used a siphon to transfer gasoline from the car’s tank to a container.
The aquarium cleaner includes a siphon to remove debris from the gravel.
Ancient Romans employed siphons in their elaborate water systems.
She carefully siphoned the wine into smaller bottles for aging.
The firefighter deployed a siphon to drain floodwater from the basement.