draw / drô/ • v. (past drew / droō/ ; past part. drawn / drôn/ ) [tr.] 1. produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks, esp. with a pen or pencil, on paper: he drew a map. ∎  produce an image of (someone or something) in such a way: I asked her to draw me | [intr.] she draws really well. ∎  trace or produce (a line or mark) on a surface: she drew a wavering line down the board | fig. where will we draw the outer boundaries of this Europe? 2. pull or drag (something such as a vehicle) so as to make it follow behind: a cart drawn by two horses. ∎  [tr.] pull or move (something) in a specified direction: I drew back the blanket and uncovered the body. ∎  [tr.] gently pull or guide (someone) in a specified direction: “David,” she whispered, drawing him aside. ∎  [intr.] move in a slow steady way: the driver slowed as he drew even with me | the train drew into the station. ∎  [intr.] come to or arrive at a point in time or a specified point in a process: the campaign drew to a close | the time for the parade itself is drawing near. ∎  pull (curtains, blinds, or other such coverings) shut or open: do you want me to draw the drapes? | she drew back the curtains and looked out. ∎  make (wire) by pulling a piece of metal through successively smaller holes.3. extract (an object or liquid) from a container or receptacle: he drew his gun and peered into the gloomy apartment | the children went down to the pond to draw water | the syringe drew off most of the fluid | [as adj.] (drawn) he met them with a drawn sword. ∎  run (a bath): she drew him a hot bath. ∎  (draw something from) obtain something from (a particular source): an independent panel of judges drawn from members of the public | he draws inspiration from ordinary scenes and simple places. ∎  (draw on) use (one's experience, talents, or skills) as a resource: Sue has a lot of past experience to draw on. ∎  obtain or withdraw (money) from a bank or other source: this check draws against my personal account. ∎  Hunting search (cover) for game. ∎  Bridge (of player) force the opponents to play (cards in a particular suit) by leading cards in that suit: before establishing his diamonds, declarer must draw trumps. ∎  [intr.] suck smoke from (a cigarette or pipe). ∎  [intr.] (of a chimney, flue, or fire) allow air to flow in and upward freely, so that a fire can burn: failure of a fire to draw properly can have a number of causes. ∎  take in (a breath): Mrs. Feather drew a long breath and let it out. ∎  [intr.] (of tea) be left standing so that the flavor is extracted from the leaves: a pot of tea is allowed to draw. ∎  disembowel: after a mockery of a trial he was hanged, drawn, and quartered.4. be the cause of (a specified response): he drew criticism for his lavish spending. ∎  attract (someone) to come to a place or an event: you really drew the crowds with your playing customers drawn in by the reductions. ∎  (usu. be drawn) induce (someone) to reveal or do something: I would rather not be drawn into your argument. ∎  direct or attract (someone's attention) to something: it was an outrage and we had to draw people's attention to it. ∎  reach (a conclusion) by deduction or inference from a set of circumstances: the moral to be drawn is that spending wins votes. ∎  formulate or perceive (a comparison or distinction): the law drew a clear distinction between innocent and fraudulent misrepresentation.5. Golf hit (the ball) so that it travels slightly to the left (for a left-handed player, the right), usually as a result of spin given to the ball: he had to learn to draw the ball—not least for the tee shots at Augusta. Compare with fade (sense 3). ∎ Billiards impart backspin to (the cue ball), making it move backwards after hitting an object ball.6. (of a ship) require (a specified depth of water) to float in; have (a certain draft): boats that draw only a few inches of water.7. [intr.] (of a sail) be filled with wind.• n. 1. an act of selecting names randomly, typically by extracting them from a bag or other container, to match competitors in a game or tournament: the draw has been made for this year's tournament.2. a game that ends with the score even; a tie.3. a person or thing that is very attractive or interesting: the big city was a powerful draw to youngsters.4. an act of inhaling smoke from a cigar: superb cigars offering tons of peppery smoke on each draw.5. an act of removing a gun from its holster in order to shoot.6. Golf a shot causing the ball to deviate to the left (or, for a left-handed golfer, the right). ∎ Billiards backspin imparted to a cue ball, causing it to move backwards after hitting an object ball.PHRASES: draw a blank see blank.draw blood cause someone to bleed, esp. in the course of a fight: the blow drew blood from the corner of his mouth | fig. she knew she'd drawn blood when the smile faded from his face. draw fire attract hostile criticism, usually away from a more important target: the vaccination campaign continued to draw fire.draw the line at set a limit of what one is willing to do or accept, beyond which one will not go: she drew the line at prostitution.draw lots see lot.draw the short straw see straw.quick on the draw very fast in taking one's gun from its holster. ∎ fig. very fast in acting or reacting.PHRASAL VERBS: draw back choose not to do something that one was expected to do: the government has drawn back from attempting reform.draw on (of a period of time) pass by and approach its end: he remembered sitting in silence with his grandmother as evening drew on.draw something on put an item of clothing on: she drew on her gloves.draw someone out gently or subtly persuade someone to talk or become more expansive: she drew me out and flattered me.draw something out make something last longer: the transition was long drawn out.draw up come to a halt: drivers drew up at the lights.draw something up prepare a plan, proposal, agreement, or other document in detail: they instructed an attorney to draw up a sales agreement.draw oneself up make oneself stand in a stiffly upright manner: Sarah drew herself up, full of indignation that he should presume to judge her.