Dictionary
rain
Pronunciation: (rān), [key]—
n.
1. water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than
1/50 in. (0.5 mm) in diameter. Cf.
drizzle (def. 6).
2. a rainfall, rainstorm, or shower:
We had a light rain this afternoon.
3. rains,the rainy season; seasonal rainfall, as in India.
4. weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall:
We had rain most of last summer.
5. a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything:
a rain of blows; a rain of vituperation.
—
v.i.
1. (of rain) to fall (usually used impersonally with
it as subject):
It rained all night.
2. to fall like rain:
Tears rained from their eyes.
3. to send down rain:
The lightning flashed and the sky rained on us in torrents.
—
v.t.
1. to send down in great quantities, as small pieces or objects:
People on rooftops rained confetti on the parade.
2. to offer, bestow, or give in great quantity:
to rain favors upon a person.
3. to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly:
to rain blows on someone's head.
4. rain cats and dogs, Informal.to rain very heavily or steadily:
We canceled our picnic because it rained cats and dogs.
5. rain out,to cause, by raining, the cancellation or postponement of a sports event, performance, or the like:
The double-header was rained out yesterday. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
