Water
falling in
drops from the clouds; the
descent of
water from the clouds in drops. "Rain is
water by the
heat of the sun
divided into very
little parts
ascending in the air, before, encountering the cool, it be condensed
into clouds, and descends in drops." (Ray) "Fair days have oft contracted
wind and rain." (Milton)
Rain is distinguished from
mist by the
size of the drops, which are distinctly visible. When
water falls in very
little drops or particles, it is called mist; and
fog is composed of particles so beautiful as to be not only individually indistinguishable,
but to
float or be suspended in the air. See Fog, and Mist.
Rain band See Quail. Rain water, water that has fallen from the clouds in rain.
Origin: OF. Rein, AS. Regen; akin to OFries. Rein, D. & G. Regen, OS. & OHG. Regan, Icel, Dan, & Sw. Regn, Goth. Rign, and prob. To L. Rigare to water, to wet; cf. Gr. To wet, to rain.
Source: Websters Vocabulary