rain meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

rain

noun

CA, US, UK /ˈɹeɪn/ · AU, NZ /ˈɹæɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English reyn, rein, from Old English reġn, from Proto-West Germanic *regn, from Proto-Germanic *regną, of uncertain origin. Possibly from pre-Germanic *Hréǵ-no-, from Proto-Indo-European *Hreǵ- (“to flow”), although the consonant reflexes don't match. Cognates Cognate with Yola rhyne, ryne (“rain”), North Frisian Riin, rin (“rain”), Saterland Frisian Rien (“rain”), West Frisian rein (“rain”), Dutch regen (“rain”), Limburgish raenger, Rään (“rain”), German Low German Regen, Ręgen, Rägen (“rain”), Luxembourgish Reen (“rain”), German Regen (“rain”), Mòcheno reng (“rain”), Vilamovian raan (“rain”), Alemannic German regu, räge, rägä (“rain”), Bavarian Regn, rein (“rain”), Cimbrian regan, réego, reng (“rain”), Yiddish רעגן (regn, “rain”), Danish, Faroese, Icelandic, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish regn (“rain”), Crimean Gothic reghen (“rain”), Gothic 𐍂𐌹𐌲𐌽 (rign, “rain”).

Climatology, Meteorology, Natural sciences Usually Condensed water falling from a cloud.

We've been having a lot of rain lately.
The rains came late that year.

1 more example

This process involves cloud seeding – when various substances are put into clouds in an attempt to cause rain.2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)

Figuratively, Usually Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops.

Figuratively, Usually An instance of particles or larger pieces of matter moving or falling through air.

A rain of mortar fire fell on our trenches.

Derived terms: 140 terms
Also see terms derived from the verb, acid rain, black rain, blood rain, cold rain process, come rain or shine, come rain or snow, coronal rain, derain, driving rain, first rain, freezing rain, golden rain, golden rain tree, gold rain, methane rain, oil rain lamp, plum rain, plum rains, pour with rain, rainband, rain-barrel, rain barrel, rain beetle, rainberry, rainbird, rain bomb, rainboot, rainbound, rainbow, rainburn, rainburst, rain butt, raincape, rain chamber, raincheck, rain check, rain cheque, rainclothes, rain cloud, raincloud, raincoat, rain-coat, rain collar, Raincouver, raincover, rain crow, rain dance, raindate, rain day, rain death, rain delay, rain doctor, raindrift, raindrop, rainer, rainfall, rainfast, rainfed, rainflow, rain follows the plough, rain follows the plow, rainforest, rain forest, rain frog, rainful, rain gage, rain garden, rain gauge, raingear, rain gutter, rain hat, rainhat, rainish, rainjacket, rain lamp, rain leaf, rainless, rainlight, rainlike, rain lily, rainmaker, rainmaking, rain man, rainmeter, rain moon, rain napper, rain or shine, rainout, rain owl, rainpants, rain pit, rainpool, rainpour, rainprint, rainproof, rain quail, rainscald, rainscape, rainscreen, rainshade, rainshadow, rain shadow, rainshower, rain shower, rain-slickened, rainslicker, rainsoaked, rain-soaked, rainsome, rainspout, rainsquall, rain stair rods, rainstick, rain stick, rain stopped play, rainstorm, rainsuit, rainswept, raintight, raintop, rain-tree, rain tree, rain truck, rainwash, rainwashed, rainwater, rain water, rainwear, rainworm, rain-wrapped, rainy, rain year, right as rain, righter than rain, ring rain, small rain lays great dust, sulfur rain, sulphur rain, yellow rain

rain

verb

Etymology From Middle English reinen, from Old English reġnian, from Proto-West Germanic *regnōn, from Proto-Germanic *regnōną, from *regną (“rain”), as above. Cognates Cognate with Cimbrian règhenan, rengen (“to rain”), Dutch regenen (“to rain”), German regnen (“to rain”), Limburgish raengere, rääne (“to rain”), Low German regen (“to rain”), Luxembourgish reenen (“to rain”), Yiddish רעגענען (regenen, “to rain”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål regne (“to rain”), Faroese, Swedish regna (“to rain”), Icelandic rigna (“to rain”), Norwegian Nynorsk regna, regne (“to rain”).

Climatology, Meteorology, Natural sciences To have rain fall from the sky.

Judging by the black cloud, it will rain later today.

Figuratively To fall as or like rain.

Tears rained from her eyes.
Leaves rained from the tree.

2 more examples

Bombs rained from the sky.
The rain it raineth every day.c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:

Figuratively To issue (something) in large quantities.

The boxer rained punches on his opponent's head.
Generous to a fault, they positively rained gifts on all their friends.

1 more example

Reporters rained questions on the beleaguered police chief.

Derived terms: 25 terms
Also see terms derived from the noun, berain, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining, don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining, don't pee in the wind and tell me it's raining, don't piss in the wind and tell me it's raining, is it going to rain, it never rains but it pours, it's raining, make it rain, piss on someone's leg and tell them it's raining, rain buckets, rain cats and dogs, rain dogs and cats, rain death, rain death upon, rain down, rain fire and brimstone, rain like cats and dogs, rain off, rain on one's parade, rain on someone's parade, rain out, rain pitchforks, unrained
Related terms: drizzle, hail, mizzle, precipitation, serein, shower, sleet, snow, storm

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