Main Entry:

¹sink

Pronunciation:

\ˈsiŋk\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

sank \ˈsaŋk\ or sunk \ˈsəŋk\ ; sunk; sink·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English sincan; akin to Old High German sinkan to sink

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1 a: to go to the bottom : submerge b: to become partly buried (as in mud) c: to become engulfed2 a (1): to fall or drop to a lower place or level (2): to flow at a lower depth or level (3): to burn with lower intensity (4): to fall to a lower pitch or volume <his voice sank to a whisper> b: to subside gradually : settle c: to disappear from view d: to slope gradually : dip3 a: to soak or become absorbed : penetrate b: to become impressively known or felt <the lesson had sunk in>4: to become deeply absorbed <sank into reverie>5 a: to go downward in quality, state, or condition b: to grow less in amount or worth6 a: to fall or drop slowly for lack of strength b: to become depressed c: to fail in health or strength ; broadly : failtransitive verb1 a: to cause to sink <sink a battleship> b: to force down especially below the earth's surface c: to cause (something) to penetrate2: immerse, absorb <he sank himself into his studies>3 a: to dig or bore (a well or shaft) in the earth : excavate b: to form by cutting or excising <sink words in stone>4: to cast down or bring to a low condition or state : overwhelm, defeat5: to lower in standing or reputation : abase6 a: to lessen in value or amount b: to lower or soften (the voice) in speaking7: restrain, suppress <sinks her pride and approaches the despised neighbor — Richard Harrison>8: to pay off (as a debt) : liquidate9: invest 110: drop 7c <sink a putt> <sink a jump shot>11chiefly British : to drink down completely

— sink·able \ˈsiŋ-kə-bəl\ adjective

— sink one's teeth into

1: to bite into2: to eagerly devote one's attention to <likes to sink her teeth into a good book>