Webster's English Dictionary

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siphon

1. si.phon or syphon \'si--f*n\ n [F siphon, fr. L siphon-, sipho, fr. Gk 
   sipho-n] 1a: a tube bent to form two legs of unequal length by which a 
   liquid can be  transferred to a lower level over an intermediate elevation 
   by the pressure of the atmosphere in forcing the liquid up the shorter 
   branch of the tube immersed in it while the excess of weight of the liquid 
   in the longer branch when once filled causes a continuous flow usu  1b: a 
   bottle for holding aerated water that is driven out through a bent tu be in 
   its neck by the pressure of the gas when a valve in the tube is opened 2: 
   any of various tubular organs in animals and esp. mollusks or arthropods  
   used for drawing in or ejecting fluids
2. siphon \'si-f-(*-)nin\ vb or si.phon.ing : to convey, draw off, or empty 
   by or as if by a siphon  : to pass by or as if by a siphon