I. ˈdräp noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dropa; akin to Old High German tropfo drop
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : the quantity of fluid that falls in one spherical mass
(2) plural : a dose of medicine measured by drops
eye drop s for dilating the pupil of the eye
b. : a minute quantity or degree of something nonmaterial or intangible
c. : a small quantity of drink
d. : the smallest practical unit of liquid measure
2. : something that resembles a liquid drop: as
a. : a pendent ornament attached to a piece of jewelry ; also : an earring with such a pendant
b. : a small globular cookie or candy
3.
[ drop (II)]
a. : the act or an instance of dropping : fall
b. : a decline in quantity or quality
c. : a descent by parachute ; also : the people or equipment dropped by parachute
d. : a place or central depository to which something (as mail, money, or stolen property) is brought for distribution or transmission ; also : the act of depositing something at such a place
made the drop
4.
a. : the distance from a higher to a lower level or through which something drops
b. : a decrease in electric potential
5. : a slot into which something is to be dropped
6.
[ drop (II)]
: something that drops, hangs, or falls: as
a. : a movable plate that covers the keyhole of a lock
b. : an unframed piece of cloth stage scenery ; also : drop curtain
c. : a hinged platform on a gallows
d. : a fallen fruit
7. : the advantage of having an opponent covered with a firearm ; broadly : advantage , superiority — usually used in the phrase get the drop on
8. : a move back from the line of scrimmage (as in preparation for making a forward pass)
a quick drop
•
- at the drop of a hat
- drop in the bucket
II. verb
( dropped ; drop·ping )
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to fall in drops
2.
a.
(1) : to fall unexpectedly or suddenly
(2) : to descend from one line or level to another
b. : to fall in a state of collapse or death
c. of a card : to become played by reason of the obligation to follow suit
d. of a ball : to fall or roll into a hole or basket
3. : to enter or pass as if without conscious effort of will into some state, condition, or activity
dropped into sleep
4.
a. : to cease to be of concern : lapse
let the matter drop
b. : to pass from view or notice : disappear — often used with out
drop out of sight
c. : to become less
production dropped
— often used with off
5. : to move with a favoring wind or current — usually used with down
transitive verb
1. : to let fall : cause to fall
2.
a. : give up 2, abandon
drop an idea
drop the charges
b. : discontinue
dropped what she was doing
c. : to break off an association or connection with : dismiss
drop a failing student
3.
a. : to utter or mention in a casual way
drop a suggestion
drop names
b. : write
drop us a line soon
4.
a. : to lower or cause to descend from one level or position to another
b. : to cause to lessen or decrease : reduce
dropped his speed
5. of an animal : to give birth to
6.
a. : lose
dropped three games
dropped $50 in a poker game
b. : spend
drop $20 for lunch
c. : to get rid of
dropped 20 pounds
7.
a. : to bring down with a shot or a blow
b. : to cause (a high card) to fall
c. : to toss or roll into a hole or basket
drop a putt
8.
a. : to deposit or deliver during a usually brief stop — usually used with off
drop the kids off at school
b. : air-drop
9. : to cause (the voice) to be less loud
10.
a. : to leave (a letter representing a speech sound) unsounded
drop the g in running
b. : to leave out in writing : omit
11. : to draw from an external point
drop a perpendicular to the line
12. : to take (a drug) orally : swallow
drop acid
• drop·pa·ble ˈdrä-pə-bəl adjective
•
- drop a dime
- drop behind
- drop the ball