drop (dr p)n.1. The smallest quantity of liquid heavy enough to fall in a spherical mass. See Table at measurement. 2. A small quantity of a substance. 3. drops Liquid medicine administered in drops. 4. A trace or hint: not a drop of pity. 5. a. Something shaped or hanging like a drop. b. A small globular piece of hard candy. 6. The act of falling; descent. 7. A swift decline or decrease, as in quality, quantity, or intensity. 8. a. The vertical distance from a higher to a lower level. b. The distance through which something falls or drops. 9. A sheer incline, such as the face of a cliff. 10. a. A descent by parachute. b. Personnel and equipment landed by means of parachute. 11. Something, such as a trapdoor on a gallows, that is arranged to fall or be lowered. 12. A drop curtain. 13. A slot through which something is deposited in a receptacle. 14. A central place or establishment where something, such as mail, is brought and subsequently distributed. 15. a. A predetermined location for the deposit and subsequent removal of secret communications or illicit goods, such as drugs. b. The act of depositing such communications or materials. 16. Electronics A connection made available for an input or output unit on a transmission line. v. dropped, drop·ping, drops v.intr.1. To fall in drops. 2. To fall from a higher to a lower place or position. 3. To become less, as in number, intensity, or volume. 4. To descend from one level to another. 5. To fall or sink into a state of exhaustion or death. 6. To pass or slip into a specified state or condition: dropped into a doze; drop out of sight. 7. Sports To fall or roll into a basket or hole. Used of a ball. v.tr.1. To let fall by releasing hold of. 2. To let fall in drops. 3. To cause to become less; reduce: drop the rate of production. 4. To cause to fall, as by hitting or shooting. 5. Sports To hurl or strike (a ball) into a basket or hole. 6. To give birth to. Used of animals. 7. To say or offer casually: drop a hint; drop a name. 8. To write at one's leisure: drop me a note. 9. To cease consideration or treatment of: dropped the matter altogether. 10. To terminate an association or a relationship with. See Synonyms at dismiss. 11. To leave unfinished: drop everything and help. 12. To leave out (a letter, for example) in speaking or writing. 13. To leave or set down at a particular place; unload. 14. Informal To spend, especially lavishly or rashly: "dropping $50,000 in an Atlantic City casino" George F. Will. 15. To parachute. 16. To lower the level of (the voice). 17. To lose (a game or contest, for example). 18. Slang To take, as a drug, by mouth: drop acid. Phrasal Verbs: drop back Football To back away from the line of scrimmage. drop behind To fall behind: dropped behind the rest of the class during her illness. drop by To stop in for a short visit. drop off1. To fall asleep. 2. To decrease: Sales dropped off in the fourth quarter. drop out1. To withdraw from participation, as in a game, club, or school. 2. To withdraw from established society, especially because of disillusion with conventional values. Idioms: at the drop of a hat1. Immediately; without delay: would sign the contract at the drop of a hat. 2. With only the slightest provocation: ready to argue at the drop of a hat. drop a dime Slang To make a telephone call, especially to the police to inform on or betray someone. drop in the bucket A small, inadequate quantity. get/have the drop on To achieve a distinct advantage over.
[Middle English droppe, from Old English dropa; see dhreu- in Indo-European roots.] | 
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