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rain definition

rain (rān)

noun

  1. water falling to earth in drops larger than 0.5 mm (0.02 in) that have been condensed from the moisture in the atmosphere
  2. the falling of such drops; shower or rainstorm
    1. rainy weather
    2. seasonal rainfalls; the rainy season: preceded by the
  3. a rapid falling or propulsion of many small particles or objects a rain of ashes

Etymology: ME rein < OE regn, akin to Ger regen < IE base *re-, var. of *reĝ-, moist, wet > L rigare, to wet, moisten: see irrigate

intransitive verb

  1. to fall: said of rain, and usually in an impersonal construction it is raining
  2. to fall like rain bullets rained about him
  3. to cause rain to fall: said of the heavens, clouds, etc.

transitive verb

  1. to pour down (rain or something likened to rain)
  2. to give in large quantities to rain praises on someone

Related Forms:

rain Idioms

rain cats and dogs

Informal to rain heavily

rain out

to cause (an event) to be postponed or canceled because of rain

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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