- (often foll. By with) be so wet as to shed drops. —n. - a liquid falling in drops (steady drip of rain). B drop of liquid. C sound of dripping.
- colloq. Dull or ineffectual person.
- = *drip-feed. be dripping with be full of or covered with. [danish: cf. *drop]
DROP
scone n. Scone made by dropping a spoonful of mixture into the pan etc.
- —n. - a globule of liquid that hangs, falls, or adheres to a surface. B very small amount of liquid (just a drop left). C glass etc. Of alcohol.
- a abrupt fall or slope. B amount of this (drop of fifteen feet). C act of dropping. D fall in prices, temperature, etc. E deterioration (drop in status).
- drop-shaped thing, esp. A pendant or sweet.
- curtain or scenery let down on to a stage.
- (in pl.) Liquid medicine used in drops (eye drops).
- minute quantity.
- slang hiding-place for stolen goods etc.
- slang bribe. —v. (-pp-) 1 fall or let fall in drops, shed (tears, blood).
- fall or allow to fall; let go.
- a sink down from exhaustion or injury. B die. C fall naturally (drop asleep; drop into the habit).
- a (cause to) cease or lapse; abandon. B colloq. Cease to associate with or discuss.
- set down (a passenger etc.) (drop me here).
- utter or be uttered casually (dropped a hint).
- send casually (drop a line).
- a fall or allow to fall in direction, amount, condition, degree, pitch, etc. (voice dropped; wind dropped; we dropped the price). B (of a person) jump down lightly; let oneself fall. C allow (trousers etc.) To fall to the ground.
- omit (a letter) in speech (drop one's h's). 10 (as dropped adj.) In a lower position than usual (dropped handlebars; dropped waist). 11 give birth to (esp. A lamb). 12 lose (a game, point, etc.). 13 deliver by parachute etc. 14 football send (a ball), or score (a goal), by a drop-kick. 15 colloq. Dismiss or omit (dropped from the team). at the drop of a hat promptly, instantly. Drop back (or behind) fall back; get left behind. Drop a brick colloq. Make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. Drop a curtsy curtsy. Drop in (or by) colloq. Visit casually. Drop off 1 fall asleep.
- drop (a passenger). Drop out colloq. Cease to participate. droplet n. [old english]
DRUB
v. (-bb-) 1 beat, thrash.
- defeat thoroughly. drubbing n. [arabic daraba beat]
DRUG
—n. - medicinal substance.
- (esp. Addictive) narcotic, hallucinogen, or stimulant. —v. (-gg-) 1 add a drug to (food or drink).
- a give a drug to. B stupefy. [french]
DRUM
brake n. Brake in which brake shoes on a vehicle press against the brake drum on a wheel.
- kit n. Set of drums in a band etc.
- machine n. Electronic device that simulates percussion.
- major n. Leader of a marching band.
- majorette n. Female baton-twirling member of a parading group.
- —n. - hollow esp. Cylindrical percussion instrument covered at the end(s) with plastic etc.
- (often in pl.) Percussion section of an orchestra etc.
- sound made by a drum.
- thing resembling a drum, esp. A container, etc.
- segment of a pillar.
- eardrum. —v. (-mm-) 1 play a drum.
- beat or tap continuously with the fingers etc.
- (of a bird or insect) make a loud noise with the wings. drum into drive (a lesson or facts) into (a person) by persistence. Drum out dismiss with ignominy. Drum up summon or get by vigorous effort (drum up support). [low german]
DUAL
carriageway n. Road with a dividing strip between traffic flowing in opposite directions.
- control n. Two linked sets of controls, enabling operation by either of two persons.
- —adj. - in two parts; twofold.
- double (dual ownership). —n. Gram. Dual number or form. duality n. [latin duo two]
DUCK
—n. (pl. Same or -s) 1 a swimming-bird, esp. The domesticated form of the mallard or wild duck. B female of this. C its flesh as food.
- score of 0 in cricket.
- (also ducks) colloq. (esp. As a form of address) dear. —v. - bob down, esp. To avoid being seen or hit.
- a dip one's head briefly under water. B plunge (a person) briefly in water.
- colloq. Dodge (a task etc.). like water off a duck's back colloq. Producing no effect. [old english]
- n. - strong linen or cotton fabric.
- (in pl.) Trousers made of this. [dutch]
DUCT
—n. Channel or tube for conveying a fluid, cable, bodily secretions, etc. (tear ducts). —v. Convey through a duct. [latin ductus from duco duct- lead]
