Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Siphon
Si′phon
,Noun.
[F.
siphon
, L. sipho
, -onis
, fr. Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] a siphon, tube, pipe.] 1.
A device, consisting of a pipe or tube bent so as to form two branches or legs of unequal length, by which a liquid can be transferred to a lower level, as from one vessel to another, over an intermediate elevation, by the action of the pressure of the atmosphere in forcing the liquid up the shorter branch of the pipe immersed in it, while the continued excess of weight of the liquid in the longer branch (when once filled) causes a continuous flow. The flow takes place only when the discharging extremity of the pipe ia lower than the higher liquid surface, and when no part of the pipe is higher above the surface than the same liquid will rise by atmospheric pressure; that is, about 33 feet for water, and 30 inches for mercury, near the sea level.
2.
(Zool.)
(a)
One of the tubes or folds of the mantle border of a bivalve or gastropod mollusk by which water is conducted into the gill cavity. See Illust. under
Mya
, and Lamellibranchiata
. (b)
The anterior prolongation of the margin of any gastropod shell for the protection of the soft siphon.
(c)
The tubular organ through which water is ejected from the gill cavity of a cephaloid. It serves as a locomotive organ, by guiding and confining the jet of water. Called also
siphuncle
. See Illust. under Loligo
, and Dibranchiata
. (d)
The siphuncle of a cephalopod shell.
(e)
The sucking proboscis of certain parasitic insects and crustaceans.
(f)
A sproutlike prolongation in front of the mouth of many gephyreans.
(g)
A tubular organ connected both with the esophagus and the intestine of certain sea urchins and annelids.
3.
A siphon bottle.
Inverted siphon
, a tube bent like a siphon, but having the branches turned upward; specifically
– (Hydraulic Engineering)
, a pipe for conducting water beneath a depressed place, as from one hill to another across an intervening valley, following the depression of the ground. Siphon barometer
. See under
– Barometer
. Siphon bottle
, a bottle for holding aerated water, which is driven out through a bent tube in the neck by the gas within the bottle when a valve in the tube is opened; – called also
– gazogene
, and siphoid
. Siphon condenser
, a condenser for a steam engine, in which the vacuum is maintained by the downward flow of water through a vertical pipe of great height.
– Siphon cup
, a cup with a siphon attached for carrying off any liquid in it; specifically
– (Mach.)
, an oil cup in which oil is carried over the edge of a tube in a cotton wick, and so reaches the surface to be lubricated. Siphon gauge
. See under
– Gauge
. Siphon pump
, a jet pump. See under
Jet
, Noun.
Si′phon
,Verb.
T.
(Chem.)
To convey, or draw off, by means of a siphon, as a liquid from one vessel to another at a lower level.
Webster 1828 Edition
Siphon
SI'PHON
,Noun.
1.
A bent pipe or tube whose legs are of unequal length, used for drawing liquor out of a vessel by causing it to rise over the rim or top. For this purpose, the shorter leg is inserted in the liquor, and the air is exhausted by being drawn through the longer leg. The liquor then rises by the weight of the atmosphere to supply the vacuum, till it reaches the top of the vessel, and then descends in the longer leg of the siphon2.
The pipe by which the chambers of a shell communicate.Definition 2024
siphon
siphon
English
Alternative forms
Noun
siphon (plural siphons)
- A bent pipe or tube with one end lower than the other, in which hydrostatic pressure exerted due to the force of gravity moves liquid from one reservoir to another.
- A soda siphon.
- (biology) A tubelike organ found in animals or elongated cell found in plants.
Derived terms
Translations
a bent pipe or tube with one end lower than the other
Verb
siphon (third-person singular simple present siphons, present participle siphoning, simple past and past participle siphoned)
- (transitive) To transfer (liquid) by means of a siphon.
Translations
See also
French
Etymology
Via Latin sipho from Ancient Greek σίφων (síphōn, “pipe, tube”), but of unknown ultimate origin.
Noun
siphon m (plural siphons)