n. [ The same as draft, the spelling with gh indicating an older pronunciation. See Draft, n., Draw. ] 1. The act of drawing or pulling; as: (a) The act of moving loads by drawing, as by beasts of burden, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

A general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement. Sir W. Temple.

(b) The drawing of a bowstring. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

She sent an arrow forth with mighty draught. Spenser.

(c) Act of drawing a net; a sweeping the water for fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

Upon the draught of a pond, not one fish was left. Sir M. Hale.

(d) The act of drawing liquor into the mouth and throat; the act of drinking. [ 1913 Webster ]

In his hands he took the goblet, but a while the draught forbore. Trench.

(e) A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

By drawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when he looketh not for you. Spenser.

(f) (Mil.) The act of selecting or detaching soldiers; a draft (see Draft, n., 2) (g) The act of drawing up, marking out, or delineating; representation. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is drawn; as: (a) That which is taken by sweeping with a net. [ 1913 Webster ]

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Luke v. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

He laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which brought him a very great draught. L'Estrange.

(b) (Mil.) The force drawn; a detachment; -- in this sense usually written draft. (c) The quantity drawn in at once in drinking; a potion or potation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery, . . . still thou art a bitter draught. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired. Goldsmith.

(d) A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written, designed, or drawn; a delineation. [ 1913 Webster ]

A draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the Parliament by a private member. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

No picture or draught of these things from the report of the eye. South.

(e) (Com.) An order for the payment of money; -- in this sense almost always written draft. (f) A current of air moving through an inclosed place, as through a room or up a chimney. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

He preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in . . . a strong draught of air, until he was again sent for. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which draws; as: (a) A team of oxen or horses. Blackstone. (b) A sink or drain; a privy. Shak. Matt. xv. 17. (c) pl. (Med.) A mild vesicatory; a sinapism; as, to apply draughts to the feet. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw; traction. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Hertfordshire wheel plow . . . is of the easiest draught. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Naut.) The depth of water necessary to float a ship, or the depth a ship sinks in water, especially when laden; as, a ship of twelve feet draught. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Com.) An allowance on weighable goods. [ Eng. ] See Draft, 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. A move, as at chess or checkers. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, in order that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the mold. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Masonry) See Draft, n., 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

Angle of draught, the angle made with the plane over which a body is drawn by the line in which the pulling force acts, when the latter has the direction best adapted to overcome the obstacles of friction and the weight of the body. --
Black draught. See under Black, a. --
Blast draught, or
Forced draught, the draught produced by a blower, as by blowing in air beneath a fire or drawing out the gases from above it. --
Natural draught, the draught produced by the atmosphere flowing, by its own weight, into a chimney wherein the air is rarefied by heat. --
On draught, so as to be drawn from the wood (as a cask, barrel, etc.) in distinction from being bottled; as, ale on draught. --
Sheer draught. See under Sheer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught beast; draught hooks. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Used in making drawings; as, draught compasses. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Drawn directly from the barrel, or other receptacle, in distinction from bottled; on draught; -- said of ale, cider, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word, especially in the first and second meanings, is often written draft, a spelling which is approved by many authorities. [ 1913 Webster ]

Draught box. See Draught tube, below. --
Draught engine (Mining), an engine used for pumping, raising heavy weights, and the like. --
Draught hook (Mil.), one of the hooks on a cannon carriage, used in drawing the gun backward and forward. --
Draught horse, a horse employed in drawing loads, plowing, etc., as distinguished from a saddle horse or carriage horse. --
Draught net, a seine or hauling net. --
Draught ox, an ox employed in hauling loads, plowing, etc. --
Draught tube (Water Wheels), an air-tight pipe extending downward into the tailrace from a turbine wheel located above it, to make the whole fall available; -- called also draught box. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Draughted; p. pr. & vb. n. Draughting. ] 1. To draw out; to call forth. See Draft. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To diminish or exhaust by drawing. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The Parliament so often draughted and drained. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Draughting room, a room draughtsmen to work in, and where plans are kept. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A checkered board on which draughts are played. See Checkerboard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A house for the reception of waste matter; a privy. [ Obs. ] 2 Kings x. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. A mild vesicatory. See Draught, n., 3 (c). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. A game, now more commonly called checkers. See Checkers. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Polish draughts is sometimes played with 40 pieces on a board divided into 100 squares. Am. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Draughtsmen 1. One who draws pleadings or other writings. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who draws plans and sketches of machinery, structures, and places; also, more generally, one who makes drawings of any kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A “man” or piece used in the game of draughts. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. One who drinks drams; a tippler. [ Obs. ] Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office, art, or work of a draughtsman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to a draught, or current of air; as, a draughtly, comfortless room. [ 1913 Webster ]