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draft  (drăft)
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Tweet n. 1. A current of air in an enclosed area. 2. A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air. 3. a. The act of pulling loads; traction. b. Something that is pulled or drawn; a load. c. A team of animals used to pull loads. 4. Nautical The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded: a river vessel of shallow draft. 5. A heavy demand on resources. 6. A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund. 7. a. A gulp, swallow, or inhalation. b. The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling. c. A measured portion; a dose. 8. a. The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg. b. An amount drawn: ordered two drafts of ale. 9. a. The process or method of selecting one or more individuals from a group, as for a service or duty: a candidate who did not pursue the nomination, but accepted a draft by the party convention. b. Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription. c. A body of people selected or conscripted. 10. Sports A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams. 11. a. The act of drawing in a fishing net. b. The quantity of fish caught. 12. a. Any of various stages in the development of a plan, document, or picture: a preliminary draft of a report; the final draft of a paper. b. A representation of something to be constructed. 13. A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface. 14. A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting. 15. An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise. v. draft·ed, draft·ing, drafts v.tr. 1. To select from a group for some usually compulsory service: drafted into the army. 2. To select from a group for placement on a sports team. 3. To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for. 4. To create by thinking and writing; compose: draft a speech. v.intr. 1. To work as a drafter. 2. To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race. adj. Idiom: 1. Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads: oxen and other draft animals. 2. Drawn from a cask or tap: draft beer. on draft Drawn from a large container, such as a keg. [Middle English draught, act of drawing or pulling, from Old English *dreaht; akin to dragan, to draw.]  (click for a larger image) drafthorse pull contest |
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