show·er¹ (shou'ər)
n.

1. A brief fall of precipitation, such as rain, hail, or sleet.
2. A fall of a group of objects, especially from the sky: a meteor shower; a shower of leaves.
3. An abundant flow; an outpouring: a shower of praise.
4. A party held to honor and present gifts to someone: a bridal shower.
5. 1. A bath in which the water is sprayed on the bather in fine streams from a showerhead, usually secured overhead: take a shower.
   2. The stall or tub in which such a bath is taken.

v., -ered, -er·ing, -ers.

v.tr.

1. To pour down in a shower: showered confetti on the parade.
2. To cover with or as if with a shower. See synonyms at barrage².
3. To bestow abundantly or liberally.

v.intr.

1. To fall or pour down in or as if in a shower.
2. To wash oneself in a shower.

[Middle English shour, from Old English scūr.]

showery show'er·y adj.

show·er² (shō'ər)
n.
One that shows: a shower of thoroughbred horses; a shower of great affection.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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