rain (rān)
n.

1. 1. Water condensed from atmospheric vapor and falling in drops.
   2. A fall of such water; a rainstorm.
   3. The descent of such water.
   4. Rainy weather.
   5. rains A rainy season.
2. A heavy or abundant fall: a rain of fluffy cottonwood seeds; a rain of insults.

v., rained, rain·ing, rains.

v.intr.

1. To fall in drops of water from the clouds.
2. To fall like rain: Praise rained down on the composer.
3. To release rain.

v.tr.

1. To send or pour down.
2. To give abundantly; shower: rain gifts; rain curses upon their heads.

phrasal verb:

rain out

1. To force the cancellation or postponement of (an outdoor event) because of rain. Used in passive constructions: The ball game was rained out.

idiom:

rain cats and dogs Informal.

1. To rain very heavily.

[Middle English, from Old English regn, rēn.]

rainless rain'less adj.

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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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