sump

Etymology

From either Middle Dutch somp or Middle Low German sump, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sumpaz. Cognate with swamp.

Pronunciation

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• Rhymes: -ʌmp

Noun

sump (plural sumps)

1. A hollow or pit into which liquid drains, such as a cesspool, cesspit or sink.
2. The lowest part of a mineshaft into which water drains.
3. A completely flooded cave passage, sometimes passable by diving.
4. (automotive) The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.
5. (nautical) The pit at the lowest point in a circulating or drainage system (FM 55-501).
6. (construction) An intentional depression around a drain or scupper that promotes drainage.

Verb

sump (third-person singular simple present sumps, present participle sumping, simple past and past participle sumped)

1. (intransitive) Of a cave passage, to end in a sump, or to fill completely with water on occasion.

   We discovered a new passage, but it sumped after 100 metres.

   This low passage sumps quickly after moderate rainfall.

Anagrams

• umps

Noun

sump

1. swamp

Etymology

From Middle Low German sump and German Sumpf

Noun

sump m (definite singular sumpen, indefinite plural sumper, definite plural sumpene)

1. a swamp (type of wetland)

References

• “sump” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Etymology

From Middle Low German sump and German Sumpf

Noun

sump m (definite singular sumpen, indefinite plural sumpar, definite plural sumpane)

1. a swamp (type of wetland)

References

• “sump” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.