sump

Meaning

Noun

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. The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.
5. The pit at the lowest point in a circulating or drainage system (FM 55-501).
6. An intentional depression around a drain or scupper that promotes drainage.
7. (Scotland) A sudden or heavy fall of rain; a deluge.

Verb

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

Synonyms

cesspool

cesspit

sink

cistern

tank

well

pit

pond

sewer

gully

latrine

precipitator

puddle

receiver

reserve tank

reservoir

settler

storage

storage tank

vat

oil pan

sediment bulb

sump pit

sediment tank

receiving tank

crank chamber

sediment separator

bunker

collecting sump

cisterna

crankcase

dam

dugout

dump

fossa

fosse

gooseneck

Translations

fosse

Einlaufschacht

Senkgrube

pozzo nero

Sammelbehälter

Pumpensumpf

sumidero

Sumpf

βόθρος

δεξαμενή

Ölwanne

λάκκος

pou mort

κάρτερ αυτοκίνητου

Kloake

Pronounced as (IPA)

/sʌmp/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sompe

In summary

From Middle English sompe, either from Middle Dutch somp, sump or Middle Low German sump from Old Saxon *sump, from Proto-West Germanic *sump, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sumpaz. Doublet of swamp.