Draught Meaning
/dɹɑːft/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAlternative form of draft in some of its senses.
nounA checker: a game piece used in the game of draughts.
Sentence Examples
A small portion of ham, please, and a draught beer.
There's a draught in here.
CEFR Practice Quiz
A cold ____ of air slipped through the crack under the door.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A small portion of ham, please, and a ____ beer.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English draught, draght, draȝt, from Old English *dreaht, *dræht (related to dragan (“to draw, drag”)), from Proto-Germanic *drahtuz, noun form of *draganą; equivalent to draw + -t.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…]he sayde vnto Simon: Cary vs into the depe, and lett slippe thy nett to make a draught."
— 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Luke:
"“Drink and pass!” he cried, handing the heavy charged flagon to the nearest seaman. “The crew alone now drink. Round with it, round! Short draughts—long swallows, men; ’tis hot as Satan’s hoof."
— 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “chapter 36”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
"Finally I gave him a draught, and he sank into uneasy slumber."
— 1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, “chapter 35”, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC:
"All the L.N.E.R. Clyde vessels are paddle-propelled, because of the shallow draught at Craigendoran Pier."
— 1946 July and August, “Notes and News: The War Effect on the Clyde Steamers”, in Railway Magazine, page 324:
"A standard type of donkey jacket made of white milled flannel is being introduced by British Railways for the use of staff working in tunnels where there are conditions of extreme cold, dampness and draught."
— 1953 November, “Notes and News: New Clothing for Tunnel Workers”, in Railway Magazine, page 783:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A cold ____ of air slipped through the crack under the door.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A small portion of ham, please, and a ____ beer.