Part 3492

<blockquote>Show to the sun their waved coats <b>dropped</b> with gold. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>To drop a vessel</col> <fld>(Naut.)</fld>, <cd>to leave it astern in a race or a chase; to outsail it.</cd></cs>

<h1>Drop</h1> <Xpage=456>

<hw>Drop</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To fall in drops.</def>

<blockquote>The kindly dew <b>drops</b> from the higher tree, And wets the little plants that lowly dwell. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To fall, in general, literally or figuratively; <as>as, ripe fruit <ex>drops</ex> from a tree; wise words <ex>drop</ex> from the lips.</as></def>

<blockquote>Mutilations of which the meaning has <b>dropped</b> out of memory. <i>H. Spencer.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>When the sound of <b>dropping</b> nuts is heard. <i>Bryant.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.</def>

<blockquote>The heavens . . . <b>dropped</b> at the presence of God. <i>Ps. lxviii. 8.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To fall dead, or to fall in death.</def>

<blockquote>Nothing, says Seneca, so soon reconciles us to the thoughts of our own death, as the prospect of one friend after another <b>dropping</b> round us. <i>Digby.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>To come to an end; to cease; to pass out of mind; <as>as, the affair <ex>dropped</ex></as>.</def>

<i>Pope.</i>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>To come unexpectedly; -- with <i>in</i> or <i>into</i>; <as>as, my old friend <ex>dropped</ex> in a moment</as>.</def>

<i>Steele.</i>

<blockquote>Takes care to <b>drop</b> in when he thinks you are just seated. <i>Spectator.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>To fall or be depressed; to lower; <as>as, the point of the spear <ex>dropped</ex> a little</as>.</def>

<p><b>8.</b> <def>To fall short of a mark.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<blockquote>Often it <b>drops</b> or overshoots by the disproportion of distance. <i>Collier.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>9.</b> <def>To be deep in extent; to descend perpendicularly; <as>as, her main topsail <ex>drops</ex> seventeen yards</as>.</def>

<cs><col>To drop astern</col> <fld>(Naut.)</fld>, <cd>to go astern of another vessel; to be left behind; to slacken the speed of a vessel so as to fall behind and to let another pass a head.</cd> -- <col>To drop down</col> <fld>(Naut.)</fld>, <cd>to sail, row, or move down a river, or toward the sea.</cd> -- <col>To drop off</col>, <cd>to fall asleep gently; also, to die. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark></cd></cs>

<h1>Droplet</h1> <Xpage=456>

<hw>Drop"let</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A little drop; a tear.</def>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Droplight</h1> <Xpage=456>

<hw>Drop"light`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>An apparatus for bringing artificial light down from a chandelier nearer to a table or desk; a pendant.</def>