from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sink \Sink\ (s[i^][ng]k), v. i. [imp. {Sunk} (s[u^][ng]k), or
({Sank} (s[a^][ng]k)); p. p. {Sunk} (obs. {Sunken}, -- now
used as adj.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Sinking}.] [OE. sinken, AS.
sincan; akin to D. zinken, OS. sincan, G. sinken, Icel.
s["o]kkva, Dan. synke, Sw. sjunka, Goth. siggan, and probably
to E. silt. Cf. {Silt}.]
1. To fall by, or as by, the force of gravity; to descend
lower and lower; to decline gradually; to subside; as, a
stone sinks in water; waves rise and sink; the sun sinks
in the west.
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I sink in deep mire. --Ps. lxix. 2.
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2. To enter deeply; to fall or retire beneath or below the
surface; to penetrate.
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The stone sunk into his forehead. --1 San. xvii.
49.
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3. Hence, to enter so as to make an abiding impression; to
enter completely.
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Let these sayings sink down into your ears. --Luke
ix. 44.
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4. To be overwhelmed or depressed; to fall slowly, as so the
ground, from weakness or from an overburden; to fail in
strength; to decline; to decay; to decrease.
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I think our country sinks beneath the yoke. --Shak.
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He sunk down in his chariot. --2 Kings ix.
24.
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Let not the fire sink or slacken. --Mortimer.
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5. To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become
diminished in volume or in apparent height.
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The Alps and Pyreneans sink before him. --Addison.
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Syn: To fall; subside; drop; droop; lower; decline; decay;
decrease; lessen.
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