n. & v.
--n.
1. a brief fall of esp. rain, hail, sleet, or snow.
2 a a brisk flurry of arrows, bullets, dust, stones, sparks, etc. b a similar flurry of gifts, letters, honours, praise, etc.
3 (in full shower-bath) a a cubicle, bath, etc. in which one stands under a spray of water. b the apparatus etc. used for this. c the act of bathing in a shower.
4 a group of particles initiated by a cosmic-ray particle in the earth's atmosphere.
5 US a party for giving presents to a prospective bride, etc.
6 Brit. sl. a contemptible or unpleasant person or group of people.
--v.
1. tr. discharge (water, missiles, etc.) in a shower.
2 intr. use a shower-bath.
3 tr. (usu. foll. by on, upon) lavishly bestow (gifts etc.).
4 intr. descend or come in a shower (it showered on and off all day).
Derivatives:
showery adj.
Etymology: OE scur f. Gmc