drop

I. 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 drops 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

> II. verb (dropped; dropping) 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

> • droppable adjective