Definitions for: Siphon


[n] a tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that atmospheric pressure forces the liquid through the tube
[v] move a liquid from one container into another by means of a siphon or a siphoning action; "siphon gas into the tank"
[v] convey, draw off, or empty by or as if by a siphon



Webster (1913) Definition: Si"phon, n. [F. siphon, L. sipho, -onis, fr. Gr. ??? 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. (Zo["o]l.)
(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 a["e]rated 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, n.


Si"phon, v. t. (Chem.)
To convey, or draw off, by means of a siphon, as a liquid
from one vessel to another at a lower level.

Synonyms: siphon off, syphon, syphon

See Also: draw, lay, place, pose, position, put, set, take out, tube, tubing

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