Siphoning
/ˈsaɪ.fən.ɪŋ/noun
Drawing liquid through a tube by suction or pressure difference.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Greek *siphōn*, a pipe or tube, and its deeper root is connected to the idea of a sudden gust or blast — like invisible force moving matter.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
σίφων (síphōn)
“pipe, tube, or a tube for drawing off liquid”
Late Latin
Lat
siphon
“a tube or pipe”
Old French
OF
sيفون / siphon
“pipe or siphon”
16th Century
English
siphon
“a tube used to draw liquid from one vessel to another”
Modern English
English
siphoning
“drawing off liquid through a siphon or, figuratively, taking off gradually or secretly”