Sink

1. to displace part of the volume of a supporting substance or object and become totally or partially submerged or enveloped; fall or descend into or below the surface or to the bottom (often followed by in or into): The battleship sank within two hours. His foot sank in the mud. Her head sinks into the pillows. 2. to fall, drop, or descend gradually to a lower level: The river sank two feet during the dry spell. 3. to settle or fall gradually, as a heavy structure: The tower is slowly sinking. 4. to fall or collapse slowly from weakness, fatigue, distress, etc.: He gasped and sank to his knees. 5. to slope downward; dip: The field sinks toward the highway. 6. to go down toward or below the horizon: the sun sinks in the west. 7. to penetrate, permeate, or seep (usually followed by in or into): Wipe the oil off before it sinks into the wood. 8. to become engulfed or absorbed in or gradually to enter a state (usually followed by in or into): to sink into slumber. 9. to be or become deeply absorbed or involved in a mood or mental state (usually followed by in or into): sunk in thought. She sank into despair. 10. to pass or fall into some lower state, as of fortune, estimation, etc.; degenerate: to sink into poverty. 11. to decline or deteriorate in quality or worth. 12. to fail in physical strength or health. 13. to decrease in amount, extent, intensity, etc.: The temperature sank to 30° at noon. 14. to become lower in volume, tone, or pitch: Her voice sank to a whisper. 15. to enter or permeate the mind; become known or understood (usually followed by in or into): He said it four times before the words really sank in. 16. to become concave; become hollow, as the cheeks. 17. to drop or fall gradually into a lower position: He sank down on the bench.