Exhaust \Ex*haust"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exhausted; p. pr. & vb. n. Exhausting.]

[L. exhaustus, p. p. of exhaurire; ex out + haurire, haustum, to draw, esp. water; perhaps akin to Icel. asua to sprinkle, pump.]

1. To draw or let out wholly; to drain off completely; as, to exhaust the water of a well; the moisture of the earth is exhausted by evaporation.

2. To empty by drawing or letting out the contents; as, to exhaust a well, or a treasury.

3. To drain, metaphorically; to use or expend wholly, or till the supply comes to an end; to deprive wholly of strength; to use up; to weary or tire out; to wear out; as, to exhaust one's strength, patience, or resources.

A decrepit, exhausted old man at fifty-five. --Motley.

4. To bring out or develop completely; to discuss thoroughly; as, to exhaust a subject.

5. (Chem.) To subject to the action of various solvents in order to remove all soluble substances or extractives; as, to exhaust a drug successively with water, alcohol, and ether.

Exhausted receiver. (Physics) See under Receiver.

Syn: To spend; consume; tire out; weary.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)