v. 1 intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by down, out, over, etc.) flow or cause to flow esp. downwards in a stream or shower. 2 tr. dispense (a drink, e.g. tea) by pouring. 3 intr. (of rain, or with it as subject) fall heavily. 4 intr. (usu. foll. by in, out, etc.) come or go in profusion or rapid succession (the crowd poured out; letters poured in; poems poured from her fertile mind). 5 tr. discharge or send freely (poured forth arrows). 6 tr. (often foll. by out) utter at length or in a rush (poured out their story; poured scorn on my attempts). it never rains but it pours misfortunes rarely come singly. pour cold water on see COLD. pour oil on the waters (or on troubled waters) calm a disagreement or disturbance, esp. with conciliatory words. pourable adj. pourer n.
[ ME: orig. unkn. ]