sink

Definition

To move or be moved into something.

Etymology

From Middle English synken, from Old English sincan, from Proto-West Germanic *sinkwan, from Proto-Germanic *sinkwaną, from Proto-Indo-European *sengʷ- (“to fall, sink”). Compare West Frisian sinke, Low German sinken, Dutch zinken, German sinken, Danish and Norwegian Bokmål synke, Swedish sjunka. In the causative sense, it replaced Old English senċan (“make sink”) from Proto-Germanic *sankwijaną.

Example Sentences

• "A stone sinks in water.  The sun gradually sank in the west."
• "An iceberg sank the Titanic.  British battleships sank the Bismarck."
• "Before installing the new surfacing material, sink any protruding nails."