I. ˈshau̇(ə)r, -au̇ə, esp in the southern US -au̇wə(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English shur, shour, showre, from Old English scūr; akin to Old High German scūr shower, storm, Old Norse skūr shower, Gothic skūra (windis ) windstorm, Latin caurus, corus northwest wind, Lithuanian šiaurỹs northwind, Old Slavic sěverŭ north, Armenian c̣urt cold, shower; basic meaning: north, northwind
1.
a. : a fall of rain that is of short duration or rapidly varying intensity over a limited area with drops usually about 1/25inch in diameter and a velocity of from 10 to 25 feet per second : compare drizzle
b. : a like fall of sleet, hail, or snow
c. : a shower of meteors
d. : cosmic-ray shower
2. : something likened to a rain shower: as
a. : a spray of water (as from a hose or waterfall)
b. : a rain of sparks
c. : a dense fall of bullets or other missiles
the whole target area was left ablaze and cratered with huge bomb holes from a shower of incendiary and high-explosive missiles — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
d. : a firework for producing a brilliant shower (as of slow-burning stars)
3. : something that comes in large and concentrated numbers or quantity
walked down from the aircraft in a shower of applause — New York Times
brought down on his head a shower of reproaches — A.P.Ryan
organized a postcard shower to cheer him up after the accident
4. : a party given by friends or well-wishers who bring gifts often of a particular kind
the bride was given linen and kitchen showers
got up a stork shower for her when her baby was expected
5. : shower bath
felt fresh from his shave and shower — Hamilton Basso
6.
a. : one of the individual flowers or small bouquets that hang by ribbons from a shower bouquet
b. : a ribbon used in a shower bouquet
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to rain or fall in or as if in a shower
it had showered off and on all day
letters showered on him in praise and in protest
2. : to bathe in a shower bath
showered and changed to clean clothes — James Jones
transitive verb
1.
a. : to pour down on in or as if in showers (as of rain, spray, or drops)
b. : to wet with rain showers, water spray, or other liquid
c. : to spray or bedew : pour on like a shower
the wind veered and showered a fishing boat with radioactive ash
factory chimneys shower the district with soot
gusts were showering dust and bits of paper and other small debris on our yard
2. : to bestow liberally : give in abundance : rain
showered invitations on him
also : to cover as if with a shower of rain
showered him with honors
III. ˈshō(ə)r, -ōə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English shewer, shoer, from shewen, showen to show + -er — more at show
: one that shows : exhibitor