rains

rain  (rn)

n.

1.

a. Water condensed from atmospheric vapor and falling in drops.

b. A fall of such water; a rainstorm.

c. The descent of such water.

d. Rainy weather.

e. 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

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

To rain very heavily.

---

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

---

rainless adj.

---

rains [reɪnz]

pl n

(Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) the. the season of heavy rainfall, esp in the tropics