4 entries under this word
(rān), v. i. [imp. & p. p. RAINED; p. pr. & vb. n. RAINING.] [A-S. rignan, regnan, rīnan, Goth. rignjan, O. H. Ger. reganōn, regenen, N. H. Ger. regnen, D. regenen, Dan. regne, Sw. regna. See RAIN, n.] 1. To fall in drops from the clouds, as water; — used mostly with it for a nominative; as, it rains; it will rain; it rained; or it has rained. The rain it raineth every day. Shak. 2. To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tears rained from their eyes.
v. t. To pour or shower down from above like rain from the clouds.
Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. Ex. xvi. 4.
n. [A-S. regen, rēn, O. Fries. rein, Goth. rign, Icel., Dan., & Sw. regn, O. Sax. & O. H. Ger. regan, N. H. Ger. & D. regen, allied to Icel. rak, humor; A-S. racu, rain, a flood, Lat. rigare, to water, to wet.] Water falling in drops from the atmosphere; the descent of water in drops from the atmosphere.
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 small drops or particles, it is called mist; and fog is composed of particles so fine as to be not only indistinguishable, but to float or be suspended in the air.
n. A ridge; — a bound or limit. [Prov. Eng.]