Syn. — To Draw, Drag. Draw differs from drag in this, that drag implies a natural inaptitude for drawing, or positive resistance; it is applied to things pulled or hauled along the ground, or moved with toil or difficulty. Draw is applied to all bodies moved by force in advance, whatever may be the degree of force; it commonly implies that some kind of aptitude or provision exists for drawing. Draw is the more general or generic term, and drag the more specific. We say, the horses draw a coach or wagon, but they drag it through mire; yet draw is properly used in both cases.
DRAW
Draw, v. i.
1. To pull; to exert strength in drawing anything; to have force to move anything by pulling; as, a horse draws well; the sails of a ship draw well.
Note: A sail is said to draw when it is filled with wind.
2. To draw a liquid from some receptacle, as water from a well. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. John iv. 11.
3. To exert an attractive force; to act as an inducement or enticement. Keep a watch upon the particular bias of their minds, that it may not draw too much. Addison.
4. (Med.)
Defn: To have efficiency as an epispastic; to act as a sinapism; — said of a blister, poultice, etc.
5. To have draught, as a chimney, flue, or the like; to furnish transmission to smoke, gases, etc.
6. To unsheathe a weapon, especially a sword. So soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and as thou drawest, swear horrible. Shak.