Raindrop

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹeɪndɹɒp/

Definitions

1. A minute particle of liquid water that develops in the atmosphere and falls to the ground as a result of condensation during rain events
2. A minuscule sphere of water produced through atmospheric moisture that descends from clouds when precipitation occurs
3. A tiny bead of water formed in clouds and falling to the earth during rainfall

Etymology: Old English speakers built this word from two plain parts: "reġn" (rain) and "dropa" (drop), giving "reġndropa." The compound is ancient and transparent, and it has been passed down nearly unchanged through the Germanic languages. Its relatives include Dutch "regendroppel," German "Regentropfen," and Swedish "regndroppe," all built the same way from rain and drop. The English form shows the word's gradual shift. In Middle English it appeared as "rein-drope" and "reyn-drope," with spellings that tracked the changing vowels of "rain." Over the centuries the compound settled into the modern spelling, while the two halves kept their original senses.

Synonyms: drop, shower, precipitate, pluvial, drizzle