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)
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