n. & v.
--n.
1. atmospheric vapour condensing in small drops on cool surfaces at night.
2 beaded or glistening moisture resembling this, e.g. tears.
3 freshness, refreshing quality.
--v.tr. wet with or as with dew.
Phrases and idioms:
dew-claw
1. a rudimentary inner toe found on some dogs.
2 a false hoof on a deer etc.
dew-fall
1. the time when dew begins to form.
2 evening. dew-point the temperature at which dew forms. dew-pond a shallow usu. artificial pond once supposed to have been fed by atmospheric condensation.
Etymology: OE deaw f. Gmc; DEW - abbr. distant early warning.