Drink | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Drink, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. DRANK (formerly DRUNK); p. p. DRUNK or DRANK (formerly DRUNKEN); p. pr. & vb. n. DRINKING. Drank, though analogically not so proper a form of the past participle as drunk, is generally used instead of it, as a sort of euphemism to render its connection with drunk, the adjective, less obvious.] [A-S. drincan, drican, O. Sax. drincan, D. drinken, Ger. trinken, Icel. drecka, Sw. dricka, Dan. dricka, Goth. driugan, whence Fr. trinquer, It. trincare, to drink and touch glasses, to tipple.]

To swallow any thing liquid, for quenching thirst or other purpose; as, to drink from a brook.
To partake of enlivening or intoxicating liquors, in merriment, feasting, or the like; to carouse; hence, to take spirituous liquors to excess; to be intemperate in the use of spirituous liquors; to be an habitual drunkard. Pope.
To feast; to be entertained with liquors. Shak.

To drink to, to salute in drinking; to invite to drink by drinking first; to wish well to, in the act of taking the cup. I drink to the general joy of the whole table, And to our dear friend Banquo. Shak.

Drĭnk, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To swallow as liquids; to receive, as a fluid, into the stomach; to imbibe; as, to drink milk or water.

There lies she with the blessed gods in bliss, There drinks the nectar with ambrosia mixed. Spencer.

Sense 2. To take in, as liquids, in any manner; to absorb; to imbibe.

And let the purple violets drink the stream. Dryden.

Sense 3. To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to hear; to see.

My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongue’s uttering. Shak.

I drink delicious poison from thy eye. Pope.

Sense 4. To inhale; to smoke, as tobacco. [Obs.]

Some men live ninety years and past, Who never drank tobacco first nor last. Taylor, 1630.

To drink down, to act on by drinking; to reduce or subdue; as, to drink down unkindness. Shak.—To drink off, or up, to drink the whole at a draught; as, to drink off a cup of cordial.—To drink the health, or to the health, of, to drink while expressing good wishes for the health or welfare of; to signify good will to by drinking; to pledge.

Drink, n.

noun

Liquor to be swallowed; any fluid to be taken into the stomach, for quenching thirst, or for medicinal purposes, as water, wine, beer, cider, decoctions, &c.