draft (drăft)

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[Middle English draught, act of drawing or pulling, from Old English* dreahtdragan, to draw.]

noun 

1. A current of air in an enclosed area.
2. A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air.
3. 1. The act of pulling loads; traction.
   2. Something that is pulled or drawn; a load.
   3. A team of animals used to pull loads.
4. Nautical The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded: a river vessel of shallow draft.
5. A heavy demand on resources.
6. A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund.
7. 1. A gulp, swallow, or inhalation.
   2. The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling.
   3. A measured portion; a dose.
8. 1. The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.
   2. An amount drawn: ordered two drafts of ale.
9. 1. The process or method of selecting one or more individuals from a group, as for a service or duty: a candidate who did not pursue the nomination, but accepted a draft by the party convention.
   2. Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription.
   3. A body of people selected or conscripted.
10. Sports A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams.
11. 1. The act of drawing in a fishnet.
    2. The quantity of fish caught.
12. 1. Any of various stages in the development of a plan, document, or picture: a preliminary draft of a report; the final draft of a paper.
    2. A representation of something to be constructed.
13. A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface.
14. A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting.
15. An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise.

verb: draft·ed, draft·ing, drafts. 

transitive verb 

1. To select from a group for some usually compulsory service: drafted into the army.
2. To select from a group for placement on a sports team.
3. To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for.
4. To create by thinking and writing; compose: draft a speech.

intransitive verb 

1. To work as a drafter.
2. To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race.

adjective 

1. Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads: oxen and other draft animals.
2. Drawn from a cask or tap: draft beer.

idioms

on draft

Drawn from a large container, such as a keg.