dropn.
/drɒp/, U.S. /drɑp/ I. The original noun.
* Primary sense.
1.
a. The smallest quantity of liquid that falls or detaches itself, or is produced, in a spherical or pear-shaped form; a globule of liquid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [noun] > a quantity of > small > globular
dropc825
tearOE
pearlc1425
dripc1440
bead1598
dropleta1616
blob1725
c825 Vesp. Psalter xliv. 9 [xlv. 8] Myrre & dropa.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xxii. 44 And his swat wæs swylce blodes dropan [Lindisf. G. dropps, Hatton dropen] on eorðan yrnende.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 34 Læt gedreopan on þa eagan ænne dropan.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 139 Naut swa muche as is andeawes drope to ȝein þebrade sea.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 560 An vewe dropes of reine þer velle.
a1300 Fragm. Pop. Sc. (Wright) 213 If hit is cold up an heȝ the dropen falleth to snowe.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xiii. xxiv. 456 A droppe is callyd Stilla while it fallith, and gutta while it stondyth or hangyth.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3320 Elan..driet the dropis of hir dregh teris.
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iv. f. 49v Why rayne falleth in round droppes.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 118 On his hanging Ears..Sweat in clammy drops appears. View more context for this quotation
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics xxxii. 265 Drops of rain, which we know to be small spheres.
1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary Compar. Anat. Phanerogams & Ferns 145 The hypodermal layer of tissue containing drops of oil and resin.
b. figurative. Of things immaterial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a very small amount > specifically of something immaterial
sparkc888
shredc1400
drop1576
scrap1607
particle1620
atom1626
morsel1779
thimbleful1789
glimmer1837
flicker1849
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 94 To instill sweete droppes of consolation, into your heart wounded with anguish.
1597 1st Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus i. i. 319 I have bespringled them pritilie with the drops of my bountie.
1645 E. Waller Wks. 90 Admiring in the glooming shade, Those little drops of light.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 46 To preserve thy sweets Unmix'd with drops of bitter.
c. drop serene n. transl. of Latin gutta serena, an old name for the disease of the eye called amaurosis.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of eye > [noun] > amaurosis or amblyopia
amblyopia?1587
amafrose1605
amaurosis1657
gutta serena1657
amblyopy1662
drop serene1667
hemiamblyopia1890
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 25 So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs. View more context for this quotation
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. III. 226 The Gutta Serena of the Arabic writers, whence the term ‘Drop Serene’, of our own tongue.
d. Adverbial phrase drop by drop [by prep. 25c] : in successive drops; slowly and gradually. Also attributive or as n., and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [phrase] > piecemeal > drop by drop
drop by drop1598
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 132 And shed my deere bloud, drop by drop in the dust. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iv. v. 91 They would melt mee out of my fat drop by drop . View more context for this quotation
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lvii. 83 As drop by drop the water falls. View more context for this quotation
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 51 Life's loss drop by drop distilled.
1922 D. H. Lawrence Fantasia of Unconscious xi. 198 The agonies and ecstasies of fear and doubt and drop-by-drop fulfillment.
1948 L. MacNeice Holes in Sky 20 The drop-by-drop Of games like darts or chess.
1959 Times 16 Sept. 11/6 The steady drop-by-drop expenditure on small items.
2. elliptical or absolutely: = tear-drop; also drop of sweat, blood, dew, rain, according to context.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > [noun] > a tear
tear971
water dropa1438
dropc1540
teardrop1789
tearlet1858
OE Azarias 64 Tosweop ond toswengde þurh swiðes meaht liges leoman. swa hyra lice ne scod, ac wæs in þam ofne, þa se engel cwom, windig ond wynsum, wedere on licust, þonne on sumeres tid sended weorþeð dropena dreorung mid dæges hwile.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7997 Achilles..warmyt in yre..That the droupes, as a dew, dankit his fas.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9216 He dride vp his dropes for dymyng his ene.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. I2 The maid with swelling drops gan wet Her circled eien. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) v. i. 10 I vrg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops That we haue bled together. View more context for this quotation
1620 F. Quarles Jonah in Divine Poems (1638) 6 Tradesmen arise, and plie your thriving shops With truer hands, and eate your meat with drops.
a1657 R. Lovelace Poems (1864) 157 One drop, let fall From her, might save the universal ball.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 320 They would be faithful to him to the last Drop.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 157 Cold drops over me streaming, I leapt forthwith from my bed.
3. spec. In dispensing and administering medicines, etc., the smallest separable quantity of a liquid.
ΚΠ
1772 T. Percival Ess. Med. & Exper. (1777) I. 97 Forty drops of the acid of vitriol.
1811 A. T. Thomson London Dispensatory i. p. lxxvii The London College have introduced the last measure [sc. the minim] as a substitute for the drop, the inaccuracy of which had been long experienced; as the fluidity and specific gravity of the liquid, the thickness of the lip of the phial, and even its degree of inclination, were all liable to vary its size.
1834 S. Cooper Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 344 Afterwards twenty drops of turpentine, with four black drops, were given every four hours.
4. plural. A medicinal preparation to be taken or administered in drops. Rarely singular.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > drops > [noun]
drops1726
ear-drops1839
eye drop1938–9
nose drops1938
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 47 Adding some of the chymical Drops into any Liquid she shall drink.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Gutta Guttæ Anglicanæ, the English Drops, or the Volatile English Drops, or Goddard's Drops, is a medicinal Liquor.
1729 J. Swift Jrnl. Dublin Lady 6 Here Betty, let me take my Drops.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough vii. 96 Tincture or Syrup, Lotion, Drop or Pill.
** The amount of a drop, a very small quantity.
5.
a. Such a quantity as would fall in, or form, a single drop; the smallest appreciable quantity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [noun] > a quantity of > small
dropc1290
drewc1430
gutta1562
trickle1580
dribblea1682
sye1781
dreg1821
driblet1861
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 100/290 Nouȝt o drope of blode.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16814 + 39 Þen miȝt þei..More blode fynd none, But þat sely drope þat was In his hert.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 124 Þei comaunden to drynke a drope of water.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) ii. 104 b Writers: who, with one drop or two of inke, may prolong our life.
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 9 A man may as well steal all one's money, as a drop of Water from any one.
1786 R. Burns Poems 24 His wee drap pirratch.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere ii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 13 Water, water, every where, Ne any drop to drink.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 163 Suspected of a drop of Moorish blood in their composition.
b. a drop in the (a) bucket or the ocean: a quantity bearing an infinitesimally small proportion to the whole.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a small part or proportion > very
a drop in the (a) bucket or the oceana1382
two feathers out of a goose1677
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xl. 15 Lo! Jentiles as a drope of a boket, and as moment of a balaunce ben holden.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xl. 15 The nations are as a drop of a bucket . View more context for this quotation
1693 W. Freke Sel. Ess. xxxiii. 206 The Invisible, Infinite and Eternal Maker of all things..to whom the Whole Globe is but as a drop of the Bucket.
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol i. 33 The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the..ocean of my business.
1853 E. C. Gaskell Cranford xiv. 221 That little would be but as a drop in the sea of the debts of the Town and County Bank.
1921 H. Crane Let. 17 Oct. (1965) 67 Sara Teasdale, Marguerite Wilkinson, Lady Speyer, etc., to mention a few drops in the bucket of feminine lushness.
1962 D. Mayo Island of Sin viii. 62 Five thousand dollars, he asked for—a mere drop in the bucket, no doubt, considering the offhand manner in which the request was made.
1968 Listener 23 May 658/3 It's very important to me that Jennie Lee does care a lot about the provinces. But what she has given is only a drop in the ocean.
6. spec. A small quantity of drink or intoxicating liquor. to have a drop in one's eye: to show signs of having had a glass. to take one's drops: to drink hard, to tipple.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of > small drink
snack1685
smack1693
drop1699
tiff1727
toothfula1774
caulker1808
caulk1834
nobbler1842
spot1917
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > be drunk > be partially drunk
to drink wine apec1405
to have on or wear a barley-cap1598
to float in one's cups1630
to have a drop in one's eye1699
to shake (have) a cloth in the wind1834
to have drink taken1924
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Drop-in-his-eye, almost drunk.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 14 You must own you had a Drop in your Eye: When I left you, you were half Seas over.
1775 M. Hunter Jrnl. (1894) 21 The captain's servant..liked a drop as well as his master.
c1793 Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1799) I. 10 If I like any drop—but a drop in my eye.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Drops, ‘to take one's drops,’ to drink hard, applied to one who drinks spirits.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Prince Otto i. iv I have had a drop, but I had not been drinking.
1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge II. xi. 119 I went to the Chequers and had a drop too much.
7. transferred and figurative. A minute quantity, portion, or particle of anything immaterial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > the smallest amount > a jot
cornc888
grotc888
prickleOE
prickOE
pointc1300
grain1377
hair1377
motec1390
twynt1399
mitec1400
tarec1405
drop1413
ace?1440
tittlea1450
whita1450
jot1526
Jack1530
plack1530
farthingc1540
minima1585
scintil1599
atom1626
scintillation1650
punct1653
doit1660
scintilla1674
rap1792
haet1802
dottle1808
smiggot1823
hooter1839
heartbeat1855
pick1866
filament1868
hoot1878
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xx. 66 Is there in the no drope of kyndenesse.
?c1425 (c1390) G. Chaucer Fortune 58 I the lente a drope of my rychesse.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 178 Take paine To allay with some cold drops of modestie Thy skipping spirit. View more context for this quotation
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse (1664) xii. 131 Having a drop of Words, and a floud of Cogitations.
1813 Ld. Byron Giaour (ed. 3) 11 Gather in that drop of time A life of pain, an age of crime.
8. An obsolete Scottish weight, = 1/ 16 of an ounce.In the Scottish Troy or Dutch weight = 29·722 troy grains; in Scottish Tron weight = 37·588 troy grains (the pound of 16 oz. being in the former = 7609 grains, in the latter 9622·6 grains).
ΚΠ
1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 1 Sept. (1855) 35 xj spoones, Scots worke, weghtan xiij unce iij dropes.
1673 Acct. Bk. Sir J. Foulis (1894) 14 A quech weighting 18 unce and 10 drop.
1805 R. Forsyth Beauties Scotl. I. 78 Archers consider an arrow of from 20 to 24 drop weight to be the best for flight.
*** Something like a drop in appearance.† 9. A spot of colour (like the mark or stain of a drop); also figurative, spot, stain. Obsolete.† 11. A disease: in quot. 15591 (and probably in c1000) gout. (= medieval Latin gutta, French goutte.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > spot of colour > [noun]
spota1300
dropc1420
stud1751
gout1833
wafer1853
blob1863
pock1894
tache1957
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. vi. 236 O Sone of God allone, O Sapience, O Hope, of synys drope or fraude immuyn.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxx The other all blacke, dropped wt siluer droppes.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 115 Their belly is parted with blacke strakes and drops.
1674 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation ii. 129 The points and extremities of their Feathers full of white drops.
10. Applied to various objects resembling a drop of liquid in size, shape, or pendent character.† d. Small shot. Cf. also drop-shot n. at Compounds 1b. Obsolete.
a. A pendant of metal or precious stone, as an ear-drop; a glass pendant of a chandelier, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > [noun] > pendant ornaments
pendantc1400
tasselc1400
tarsel1459
pend1488
pendace1488
drop1502
pendle1567
tag1570
tasse1570
tasselet1577
lustre1682
fiocco1694
dewdrop1880
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery of specific shape or form > [noun] > pendant
pendantc1400
pendicle1488
drop1502
pennon1546
pendeloque1623
bob1648
pendulea1699
pear drop1785
dropperc1825
tassel-drop1849
hanger-
1502 in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expenses Elizabeth of York (1830) 21 Spangelles settes..sterrys dropes and pointes..for garnisshing of jakettes.
1682 London Gaz. No. 1750/4 A pair of Diamond Pendants, with Roses, and Knots and Drops.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 153 A Pair of Ear Rings..with a fine Drop.
1861 Macmillan's Mag. Jan. 186 Cut drops of a glass chandelier.
1885 Cent. Mag. 30 728/1 A large silver urn bedecked with the drop-and-garland of Queen Anne's time.
b. Architecture (plural) The frusta of cones used under the triglyphs in the architrave of the Doric Order below the tænia; also in the under part of the mutuli or modillions. (Latin guttæ.) (Gwilt.)
ΚΠ
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Dropp..an Ornament in the Pillars of the Doric Order, underneath the Triglyphs; representing Dropps or little Bells.
c. Nautical. See quot. 1850.
ΚΠ
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 116 Drops are..small foliages of carved-work in the stern-munnions.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > bullet or shot collectively > shot > small
pellet1372
die?c1390
hail-shot1485
die-shot1581
dice-shot1588
birdshot1626
key-shot1648
mould shot1675
cartridge-shot1690
small shot1727
drop1753
shot-cornc1792
dust-shot1800
sparrow-hail1859
steel1898
scattershot1961
1753 Extracts Trial J. Stewart in Scots Mag. Aug. 397/2 The..gun..was charged with powder and small drops.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Draps, Lead draps, small shot of every description.
e. A lozenge or sugar-plum, originally of spherical form, but now of various shapes. Frequently with defining word prefixed, as acid drop n., cough drop n., peppermint drop n. (see the first elements). Also a cake shaped like a drop or made by dropping a mixture on to paper, etc. (cf. drop-cake n., drop-scone n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > cake > [noun] > a cake
cakea1325
drop1723
fuggan1810
Kuchen1854
wad1919
tabnab1933
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > confections or sweetmeats > sweets > [noun] > a sweet > drop, lozenge, or comfit
comfit1334
pastille1451
table1580
confect1587
violet tables1620
sugar-pluma1668
plum1694
nonpareil1697
rose drop1727
lemon-drop1807
drop1818
jujube1835
pear drop1852
pandrop1877
conversation lozenge1905
cushion1906
fruit drop1907
1723 J. Nott Cook's & Confectioner's Dict. sig. E8v (heading) To make Bisket Drops.
1727 E. Smith Compl. Housewife 183 (heading) To make Rose Drops.
1818 J. Keats Let. 24 Mar. (1958) I. 256 Very fond of peppermint drops.
1819 J. Keats Let. 12 Apr. (1958) II. 52 As fine as barley sugar drops are to a schoolboy's tongue.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 305 Ma, in the openness of her heart, offered the governess an acidulated drop.
1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. I. 202 Fancy chocolate in drops.
f. Name of a variety of plum, gooseberry, etc.
ΚΠ
1883 G. Allen Colin Clout's Cal. 197 Orleans plums, and golden drops, which differ..in their fruit.
g. Applied to flowers with pendent blossoms, as the fuchsia (dialect), and in combinations, as snowdrop.
ΚΠ
1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 81 in Sylva December..Flowers in Prime..Snow flowers or drops, Yucca.
1892 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Drops, the common name for fuchsia.
h. (Prince) Rupert's Drops: see quots.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > other toys > [noun] > others
spurc1450
cock1608
turnel1621
corala1625
house of cardsa1625
Jack-in-the-box1659
(Prince) Rupert's Drops1662
sucker1681
whirligig1686
playbook1694
card house1733
snapper1788
card castle1792
Aaron's bells?1795
Noah's Ark1807
Jacob's ladder1820
cat-stairs1825
daisy chain1841
beanbag1861
playboat1865
piñata1868
teething ring1872
weet-weet1878
tumble-over1883
water cracker1887
jumping-bean1889
play money1894
serpentin1894
comforter1898
pacifier1901
dummy1903
bubble water1904
yo-yo1915
paper airplane1921
snowstorm1926
titty1927
teaser1935
Slinky1948
teether1949
Mr Potato Head1952
squeeze toy1954
Frisbee1957
mobile1957
chew toy1959
water-rocket1961
Crazy Foam1965
playshop1967
war toy1973
waterball1974
pull-along1976
transformer1984
Aerobie1985
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > glass-work or glassware > Prince Rupert's drops
(Prince) Rupert's Drops1662
Prince Rupert's drop1695
snapper1788
water cracker1887
1662 C. Merrett tr. A. Neri Art of Glass 353 An Account of the Glass drops. These Drops were first brought into England by His Highness Prince Rupert out of Germany.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Rupert's Drops, a sort of glass drops with long and slender tails, which burst to pieces, on the breaking off those tails in any parts.
1833 N. Arnott Elements Physics (ed. 5) II. i. 24 A toy called a Prince Rupert's Drop (a pear-shaped lump of glass with a slender stalk).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders of joints > [noun] > gout
dropc1000
podagraOE
goutc1290
podagrec1300
arthritic?a1450
podagrya1538
arthritis1543
joint-sickness1545
leaping gout1562
goutiness1632
wind-gout1662
podarthritis1846
c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 236 Heo ælc yfel blod and þæne dropan gewyldeþ.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 376 Wið fot adle, and wið ðone dropan nim datulus.
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 241 This..cureth all scabbednes and the drop.
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 241 Sod with bran and drunnken it driveth away all droppes.
II. Secondary noun, from drop v.
* The action.
12.
a. The action or an act of dropping, in various senses, e.g. the fall of a minute particle of liquid; an abrupt and clear fall or vertical descent in space; a decided descent professionally or socially: see the verb †to give one the drop: to give one the slip (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of dripping or falling in drops > [noun]
droppingc1000
drippingc1440
stilling1530
trickling1629
dropa1637
drip1675
drip feed1899
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > contrive to escape or evade > a person or slip away from
aglya1250
outsteala1325
glide?1510
slip1513
betrumpa1522
to give (one) the slip1567
to get by ——1601
outslip1616
to give (a person or thing) the go-by1653
elude1667
to tip (a person) the picks1673
bilk1679
to tip (a person) the pikes1688
to give one the drop1709
jouk1812
double1819
sneak1819
shirk1837
duck1896
a1637 B. Jonson Sad Shepherd i. iii. 44 in Wks. (1640) III My slow drop of teares. View more context for this quotation
1709 S. Centlivre Busie Body iii. v. 42 I'll give him the drop, and away to Guardians, and find it out.
1832 W. Irving Alhambra I. 288 The..fountain with its eternal drop-drop and splash-splash.
1855 R. Browning By Fireside xi The drop of the woodland fruit's begun These early November hours.
1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 91/1 I..began pitching in the street. I didn't much like it, after being a regular performer, and looked upon it as a drop.
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 Aug. 5/1 The force of gravity, which has far greater influence than any other in determining the course of the bullet, and is called ‘the drop’ of the bullet.
b. slang. Cf. drop-cove, drop-game in 23.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > [noun] > confidence trick > types of
drop-game1785
ring-dropping1788
drop1819
pigeon dropping1850
sawdust game1872
pay-off1915
short con1932
hot seat1933
pigeon drop1937
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) The game of ring-dropping is called the drop.
1823 Grose
c. With adverbs, as drop in, out: see drop-in n. and adj., dropout n.
d. = drop-kick n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > types of kick or ball
drop1845
drop-kick1857
punt-out1861
free kick1862
poster1862
goal kick1870
dropout1882
touch kick1887
touch-finder1898
fly-kick1906
grubber kick1950
grub-kick1951
tap-kick1960
up and under1960
chip kick1965
Garryowen1965
box kick1972
chip and chase1976
1845 W. D. Arnold et al. Football Rules of Rugby School in J. Smith Orig. Rules Rugby (2007) 46 Kick out must not be from more than..twenty-five yards [out of goal], if a punt, drop, or knock on.
1864 Field 5 Nov. 331/1 The School..managed to keep the ball close to their opponents' goal, till at length a long drop of Poole's took the ball into touch-in-goal.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 411/2 The centre will, of course, be on the look out for a drop at goal.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby ii. 31 The method for practising the drop should be the same as described above for the punt.
e. A drop-stroke (see drop- comb. form); see also quot. 1900.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > [noun] > types of play or stroke
fault1599
back-hand1657
serving1688
let1819
return1832
ace1840
error1877
rally1879
knock-up1884
drop1900
kill1903
soft kill1910
angle shot1911
retrieve1913
length1924
put-away1932
1900 G. E. A. Ross in A. E. T. Watson Young Sportsman 609 The second contact of the ball with the floor [in tennis], called the fall..as distinguished from its first bound or contact, called the drop of the ball.
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Drop, in tennis, a ball so struck by the racket as to shoot sharply downward after crossing the net.
1933 Times 18 Nov. 5/7 Time and again his forehand drop went too low.
1960 Times 3 Dec. 3/4 He was pushing at attempted forehand drops.
f. In a card game, esp. Bridge, a situation in which a particular card is dropped (see drop v. 3d).
ΚΠ
1936 E. Culbertson Contract Bridge Compl. xxxix. 441 Even when the odds favour a play for a drop, tactical considerations may make a finesse necessary.
1959 Listener 7 May 808/2 If East wins with the King the declarer must still decide whether to play the finesse or the drop on the second round.
1969 D. Hayden Winning Declarer Play (1970) i. i. 12 In the absence of any other information it is fractionally better to play for the drop.
g. Aeronautics (a) The act of dropping men, supplies, etc., from an aircraft; cf. airdrop n. at air n.1 Compounds 2. (b) The landing of an aircraft or the like.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > parachuting > [noun] > dropping by parachute
parachute drop1928
airdrop1943
drop1943
supply drop1943
parachutage1944
paradropping1944
paradrop1945
1943 Time 29 Nov. 10/1 A U.S. Supply Plane Makes a ‘Drop’ in the Chin Hills.
1954 X. Fielding Hide & Seek 72 A parachute drop in an island as mountainous as Crete was always an arduous and dangerous business.
1956 ‘J. Wyndham’ Seeds of Time 46 The ship had..made her successful last drop to Mars.
1971 R.A.F. Quarterly Spring 3 Nearly every mission was flown and nearly every drop was successful.
13. figurative. A sheer fall or descent in anything measured by a scale; e.g. in prices, values, atmospheric pressure, temperature, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > instance of
downfall1654
fall1792
drop1847
cut1881
degrowth1920
step-down1922
rollback1942
1847–78 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words Drop, a reduction of wages.
1883 Daily News 12 July 3/5 A portion of the hands..have abided by the agreement and gone in again at the drop.
1884 Manch. Examiner 29 Oct. 4/4 Owing to the drop in exchanges and higher rates of discount.
1897 N.E.D. at Drop Mod. There has been a great drop in the temperature since yesterday morning.
14.
a. to get (have) the drop on, colloquial (originally U.S.): to get (have) a person at a disadvantage; originally to have the chance to shoot before the antagonist can use his weapon. Hence the drop = the advantage.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > have or get (someone) at a disadvantage
to have at avail1470
to catch, have, hold, take (one) at (a or the) vantagec1510
to gain of1548
to be to the forehand with1558
to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch1591
to get the sun of1598
to have (also get) a good hand against1600
to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612
to weather on or upon1707
to have the laugh on a person1767
to have a (or the) pull of (also over, on)1781
to get to windward of1783
to have the bulge on1841
to give points to1854
to get (have) the drop on1869
to hold over1872
to have an (or the) edge on1896
to get (also have) the goods on1903
to get (or have) the jump on1912
to have (got) by the balls1918
1869 A. K. McClure 3,000 Miles through Rocky Mts. xxiv. 233 So expert is he with his faithful pistol, that the most scientific of rogues have repeatedly attempted in vain to get ‘the drop’ on him.
1875 J. Miller First Fam'lies Sierras vii. 55 It was strange that Sandy did not pull.., at all events he had the ‘drop’, and could afford to wait..and see what he [sc. the Parson] would do.
1883 Harper's Mag. Jan. 208/1 The men..were always waiting to ‘get the drop’ on somebody.
1884 U.S. Newspaper The Sheriff and his deputies..having the drop on the outlaw he surrendered quietly.
1893 J. H. McCarthy Red Diamonds II. 27 It was my own fault for letting them get the chance to have the drop on me.
1915 A. Conan Doyle Valley of Fear i. vii. 140 He'd have had the drop on me with that buckshot gun of his before ever I could draw on him.
1917 J. Ferguson Stealthy Terror xiii. 288 He had got ‘the drop’ on us, and he knew it.
1918 C. E. Mulford Man from Bar-20 149 Th' man with the drop can find a lot to say, if he's a tin-horn.
1940 ‘N. Blake’ Malice in Wonderland i. viii. 107 He suspects Miss Thistlethwaite..of having got the drop on him.
1959 ‘J. Christopher’ Scent of White Poppies ix. 147 Two of us can handle it... We shall have the drop on them.
1970 New Yorker 23 May 27/2 F.B.I. agents had been trying to ‘crawl up through the belly of the plane either to get the drop on him [sc. a hijacker] or to get a shot at him’.
b. at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat: promptly, immediately. Originally U.S. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1854 J. B. Jones Life of Country Merchant xv. 175 You said you'd marry me at the drop of a hat!
1887 M. Roberts Western Avernus 43 Ready to quarrel ‘at the drop of a hat’, as the American saying goes.
1901 G. Ade 40 Mod. Fables 49 Every Single Man in Town was ready to Marry her at the Drop of the Hat.
1944 M. Sharp Cluny Brown iv. 30 Miss Cream's visit coincided with a week of superb weather. At the drop of a hat she stripped and sunbathed—or rather, a hat was the only thing she didn't drop.
1958 M. Dickens Man Overboard xi. 165 The invaluable ability to write an article about almost anything under the sun at the drop of a hat.
15. The act of dropping or giving birth to young; the produce so dropped.
ΚΠ
1891 Australasian 320/4 The bulk [of the lambs] consisted of this season's drop.
** That which drops or is used for dropping.
16. In a theatre: The painted curtain let down between the acts of a play to shut off the stage from the view of the audience; also called act drop, and (less technically) drop-curtain. Also, a piece of scenery, usually a large flat (flat n.3 11), lowered on to the stage from the flies.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > curtain
curtain1598
drop1781
iron curtain1794
green curtain1805
greeny1821
tableau curtain1830
drop-curtain1832
rag1848
hipping1858
cloth1881
safety curtain1881
asbestos curtain1890
olio1923
tab1929
sail curtain1941
iron1951
swag1959
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > scenery > pieces of
side shutter1634
drop1781
flat1795
back-scene1818
border1824
profile1824
act drop1829
set piece1859
profiling1861
profile wing1873
backing1889
profile piece1896
revolve1900
construction1924
wood-wing1933
cutout1949
1781 R. B. Sheridan Critic ii. ii The carpenters say, that unless there is some business put in here before the drop, they shan't have time to clear away the fort.
1807 Director II. 331 The entire assemblage of wings and drops and flat.
1859 G. A. Sala Gaslight & Daylight ii. 21 Long cylinders, or rollers, used for ‘drops’.
1896 C. Wyndham in Daily News 2 May 8/2 The curtain which will fall to-night upon the drama..will not be a final curtain, but only an act drop serving to divide one section of a career, one stage of friendship from the next.
1913 Amer. Mag. July 103/1 When the film is run off you see the back~drop right through him [sc. the Ghost] while he approaches Hamlet.
1951 R. Southern in Oxf. Compan. Theatre 200/2 Drop, an unframed piece of scenery, first used about 1690, usually a canvas backcloth. It had the advantage of offering an unbroken plain surface for painting, free from any central join such as marked the alternative ‘pair of flats’.
17.
a. A small platform or trapdoor on the gallows, on which the condemned stands with the halter round his neck, and which is let fall from under his feet. By extension, the gallows; the act of hanging.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows > parts of
ladderc1515
yardarm?a1554
tramc1650
drop1796
drop-bolt1890
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun]
hanginga1300
hangmentc1440
gallows1483
gibbet1502
Tyburn checka1529
Tyburn stretch1573
caudle of hempseed1588
hempen caudle1588
swinging1591
rope law1592
rope-leap1611
cording1619
turn1631
nubbing1673
cravatting1683
gibbetation1689
topping1699
Tyburn jig1699
noosing1819
scragging1819
Tyburn tie1828
Newgate hornpipe1829
dance upon nothing1841
drop1887
suspension1909
1796 Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (ed. 3) (at cited word) The new drop; a contrivance for executing felons at Newgate.
1813 Examiner 18 Jan. 43/2 The drop fell. They were executed in their irons.
1821 J. Bentham Elements Art of Packing 121 The New Drop.
1843 Sir P. Laurie in Croker Papers (1884) III. xxiii. 15 The first attempt at something like a drop in hanging criminals was at the execution of Lord Ferrers at Tyburn in 1760, but..it was not adopted as the general mode of execution till 1783, when ten felons were executed on the 9th of December..for the first time in front of Newgate, on a new drop or scaffold hung with black.
1846 ‘Lord Chief Baron’ Swell's Night Guide (new ed.) 118/1 Drop, the squeezer at Newgate.
1887 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 1 May 20/5 The condemned walked firmly to the drop.
1924 E. Wallace Room 13 v. 56 I have a particular objection to Peter going to the drop.
1958 F. Norman Bang to Rights 39 It comes to the morning when he is going to get the drop.
b. = fence n. 8a. Thieves' slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > receiver of stolen goods > [noun]
receiver?a1400
intaker1421
resetterc1430
marker1591
marter1591
fence1699
fencer1699
fencing-cully1699
lock1699
family man1747
locker1753
drop1915
smasher1929
handler1995
1915 Times 19 Mar. 5/5 The Magistrate.—I thought that they called these men ‘fences’. Mr. Pearce.—Perhaps the fashion has changed. One usually associates a ‘drop’ with a more serious offence.
1937 C. R. Cooper Here's to Crime vi. 133 All shops, whether or not they be fences or ‘drops’ for numerous thieves, can escape detection.
1962 ‘K. Orvis’ Damned & Destroyed xix. 139 You say you buy expensive jewels. You say you pay better prices than ordinary drops do.
c. A hiding place for stolen, smuggled, or illicit goods (see quots.). slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > a secret place, hiding place > [noun] > for storage > for illicit goods
plant1785
trap1930
drop1931
run-in1955
1931 in E. Partridge Dict. Underworld (1950) 207/2 Drop, a hiding place for liquor; a depot where smuggled liquors are deposited to be picked up by other members of the gang or by customers.
1933 H. J. Lee Eagle Police Man. 147 Drop joints, places selected for temporarily depositing stolen goods.
1934 H. N. Rose Thes. Slang iii. 20/1 Hiding place for liquor in a car,..a drop; trap.
1937 C. R. Cooper Here's to Crime xv. 332 In the transfer from dock to dock, bribed truck drivers run the shipment into a ‘drop’, extract the narcotics, and put real merchandise in their place.
1947 Amer. Mercury Apr. 430/1 The immediate problem after a trucking theft is to unload the merchandise and abandon the empty truck. For this purpose the gang must have a ‘drop’ where the loot can be stored until the fence can arrange for its sale and distribution.
1962 ‘K. Orvis’ Damned & Destroyed xxii. 164 Employing an expensive West End brothel..as a heroin drop.
d. A place, usually secret, where letters, information, etc., may be passed on to, or left to be collected by, another person, as in espionage. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > [noun] > information exchange
letterbox1940
drop1959
treff1963
post office1965
the mind > possession > supply > storage > [noun] > place where anything is or may be stored > hidden place of storage > where something may be left
drop1959
1959 R. Condon Manchurian Candidate (1960) xix. 232 An hour after Chunjin had made his report to the Soviet security drop from the red telephone booth..a meeting was called.
1960 E. S. Aarons Assignment Mora Tirana (1966) iii. 28 An informer came to our drop in Vienna, from over in Bratislava.
1965 I. Fleming Man with Golden Gun ix. 124 They had arranged an emergency meeting place and a postal ‘drop’.
18.
a. Variously applied to things which drop or fall from a height, and to mechanical contrivances arranged to descend, or fall from an elevated position: see quots.
b. A movable plate covering the key-hole of a lock.
c. The slit or aperture of a letter-box (U.S.).
ΚΠ
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Draps, fruit in an orchard dropping before it is fit to be gathered.
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Drop, a machine for lowering coals from railway staiths into the holds of colliers.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Drop..a contrivance for temporarily lowering a gas-jet.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Drop-press, a machine for embossing, punching, etc., consisting of a weight guided vertically, to be raised by a cord and pulley worked by the foot, and to drop on an anvil; called also drop-hammer, or simply a drop.
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Drop, a swaging-hammer which drops between guides.
1879 Postal Laws & Reg. of U.S. 427 Drop, the opening in a post-office or mail apartment of a car for the mailing of letters..by the public.
1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 19/1 Drops, window-blinds. ‘I knew he was dead—the drops were down’.
d. Money, esp. when given as alms or a bribe; also, the act of giving it. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [noun] > bribe
gift1382
handy-dandyc1390
pricec1400
bud1436
bribe?a1439
golden (also silver) keyc1450
fee1549
golden shower1589
oil of angels1592
sugar-plum1608
bribera1616
palm oil1625
greasinga1661
sop1665
sweetbreada1670
vail1687
douceur1739
sweetener1741
bonus1759
buckshee1773
smear-gelt1785
grease1823
boodle?1856
soap1860
ice1887
palm-grease1897
poultice1902
fix1929
dropsy1930
pay-off1930
drop1931
oil1935
squeeze-pidgin1946
sling1948
bung1958
back-hander1960
1931 C. Massie Confessions of Vagabond vii. 79 A good ten minutes before the ‘drop’ you are forced to listen to a tale of woe.
1933 ‘G. Orwell’ Down & Out xxx. 220 A half-penny's the usual drop (gift).
1939 H. Hodge Cab, Sir? 222 To ‘take the drop’ is to accept a bribe.
*** The space, place, or part, in which there is a fall or vertical descent.
19. The distance through which anything drops or is allowed to fall; e.g. the distance through which a criminal drops when hanged.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows > distance criminal drops
drop1879
1879 Daily Tel. 6 Sept. I would recommend the drop to be no more than 2½ feet with ordinary sized men.
1884 A. Griffiths Chron. Newgate vi. 174 Sometimes the rope slipped, or the drop was insufficient.
1892 Lit. World 3 June 534/3 As to the length of the drop there has been prolonged controversy.
20. The depth to which anything sinks or is sunk below the general level.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > extension downwards or depth > [noun] > below (specific) level
fall1592
dip1793
drop1794
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 87 Drop of a sail, a term sometimes used to courses and topsails instead of depth.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 116 Drop, the fall or declivity of a deck, which is generally several inches.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Drop..the distance of a shaft below the base of a hanger.
1881 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (ed. 4) 36 This difference between the theoretical and actual width of the pallet is called the drop.
1889 Cent. Dict. Drop of stock, in firearms, the bend or crook of the stock below the line of the barrel.
21.
a. An abrupt descent or fall in the level of a surface.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > [noun] > inclination from the level or slope > steepness (except of hills, etc.) > steep fall in level
drop1821
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 62 The traveller from the mountain-top Looks down..And meditates beneath the steepy drop What life and lands exist, and rivers flow.
1891 C. T. C. James Romantic Rigmarole 166 Another fence loomed ahead..the water meadow beyond it was at a considerably lower level. ‘Look out!’ cried Georgy. ‘It's a biggish drop!’
b. Fortification: see quot. 1874.
ΚΠ
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Drop, that part of a ditch sunk deeper than the rest, at the sides of a caponniere or in front of an embrasure.
22. An arrangement in a genealogical table, whereby names belonging to a particular horizontal line, where there is no room for them, are carried lower down. Also drop-line: see drop- comb. form.
ΚΠ
1888 Athenæum 14 Jan. 49/3 The excessive use of ‘drops’ may have been necessary; we can, however, but regret the adoption of so distracting a system.
Compounds
General attributive. (See also drop- comb. form the verb-stem.) C1. Of, pertaining to, or consisting of a drop or drops.
a.
drop-earring n.
ΚΠ
1778 G. L. Way Learning at Loss I. 17 Nobody can appear with a Button bigger than a Drop Ear-ring.
1804 M. Edgeworth Contrast viii, in Pop. Tales III. 113 She wore the drop-earrings.
drop-fall n.
ΚΠ
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms lxiv. 11 [lxv. 10] In his drope fallingus shal glade the buriounende.
drop-falling n.
drop-ornament n.
ΚΠ
1857 J. G. Wilkinson Egyptians 87 Drop ornaments in necklaces.
drop-pearl n.
ΚΠ
1707 London Gaz. No. 4383/4 Lost..two Drop-Pearls, Weight 15 Carrets.
b.
drop-shot n. (sense 10d.)
ΚΠ
1698 London Gaz. No. 3362/4 Drop shot of all sizes.
1858 in W. Greener Gunnery in 1858 14 (advt.) With the largest drop shot, and also with mould shot.
c.
drop-bottle n. (cf. sense 10e.)
ΚΠ
1877 C. W. Thomson Voy. ‘Challenger’ I. i. 16 ‘Drop-bottles’ manufactured for holding sweetmeats of various kinds.
C2. Special combinations.
drop-black n. a superior quality of bone-black ground in water, formed into drops, and dried.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > named colours > black or blackness > blackening agent > [noun] > pigment
blackOE
lamp-black1598
charcoal-black1622
ivory-black1634
blue-black1665
bone black1665
Indian ink1665
India ink1700
smoke-black1712
China-ink1782
Frankfort black1823
almond black1835
Spanish black1839
gas black1841
abaiser1849
peach black1852
vine-black1860
carbon black1872
drop-black1879
aspergillin1891
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 222/1 Drop-black and Indian red.
1891 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 41 I use drop black, as it is already mixed with water, and it is very hard to make the common lamp black mix, owing to its greasiness.
drop-cove n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 170 Drop-cove, a sharp who practises the game of ring-dropping.
drop-dry adj. watertight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [adjective] > waterproof or watertight
waterthight1387
staunch1412
watertight1489
thight1501
waterfast1518
waterproof1725
drop-dry1844
stanching1852
moisture-proof1867
damp-proof1870
damp-proofed1962
1844 R. Cobden Speeches (1878) 84 The thinly thatched roofs are seldom drop-dry.
drop-game n. (see quot. 1891).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > [noun] > confidence trick > types of
drop-game1785
ring-dropping1788
drop1819
pigeon dropping1850
sawdust game1872
pay-off1915
short con1932
hot seat1933
pigeon drop1937
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Drop-game.
1891 J. S. Farmer Slang II. 331/1 Drop-game, a variety of the confidence trick:—The thief..pretends to pick up (say) a pocket-book (snide), which he induces the greenhorn to buy for cash.
drop-meter n. an instrument for measuring out liquid drop by drop.
drop-sulphur n.
ΚΠ
1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. I. 122 Crude drop Sulphur.
drop test n. either of two tests of the strength of an object: (a) one in which the object is dropped in certain specified conditions; (b) one in which a specified weight is dropped on the object from a specified height.
ΚΠ
1890 W. M. Williams Chem. Iron & Steel Making xiii. 236 Prominent among the useful tests is the drop-test, as applied to steel rails.
1947 Shell Aviation News No. 109. 13/1 Drop test rigs for undercarriages are in course of construction.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 22 Mar. 131/2 For the hydraulics system alone Nuffield subjected Tractor Oils Universal to exacting bench and ‘drop’ tests.
drop-testing n.
ΚΠ
1903 C. E. Wolff Mod. Loco. Pract. xiii. 212 One wheel out of every 20 or 24 shall be tested to destruction in a drop testing machine.
1962 Aeroplane CIII. No. 2637. 4/3 A technique known as ‘airborne’ drop-testing has been adopted in this rig.
drop-tin n. i.e. that granulated by being dropped in a molten state into cold water.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
dropv.
/drɒp/, U.S. /drɑp/ I. Intransitive senses.
1. Of a liquid: To fall in drops or globules; to exude or distil in drops.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of dripping or falling in drops > drip or fall in drops [verb (intransitive)]
syec725
dreepa1000
dropc1000
tricklec1386
thrill1540
drill1603
dripa1670
c1000 Ags. Ps. xliv. 10 Myrre, and gutta, and cassia dropiað of þinum claðum.
c1000 Ags. Ps. lxxi. 6 Swa swa dropan dropende [Lamb. Ps. droppende] ofer eorþan.
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms lxvii[i]. 9 Heuenus droppeden [L. distillaverunt] doun fro the face of God of Synay.
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 3884 He..held it vp, For water sold noght tharon drop.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) x. 38 Apon þe roche dropped blode of þe woundes.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. 31 The kindly deaw drops from the higher tree.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. G The christall tide, that from her two cheeks..dropt . View more context for this quotation
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 47 A certane coue, quhairin water continualie drapping..turnes in a verie quhyte stane.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 265 It will distill and drop out of the cicatrized place into the vessel.
1897 N.E.D. at Drop Mod. The rain drops incessantly from the eaves. Sweat dropped from his brow.
2.
a. Of a person or thing: To give off moisture or liquid which falls in drops; = drip v. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of dripping or falling in drops > drip or fall in drops [verb (intransitive)] > be dripping
dropa1382
drip1508
distil1716
dripple1822
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xvi. 21 My woordi frendis, myn eȝe droppith [L. stillat] to God.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3572 Þe nese it droppes [Fairf. droupes] ai bi-tuine.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xxviii. 107 The swerde dropped yet of bloode.
1553 T. Becon Relikes of Rome (1563) 226 If the chalice drop vpon the altare, let the droppe be supte vp.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xviii. 499 We, who were dropping with wet.
1825 T. B. Macaulay Milton in Edinb. Rev. Aug. 323 The rabble of Comus, grotesque monsters, half bestial half human, dropping with wine.
b. Falconry. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1614 S. Latham Falconry Explan. Wordes sig. ¶v Dropping, is when a Hawke muteth directly downeward, in seuerall drops.
1674 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation ii. 80 Sliming is, when the Hawk muteth without dropping.
3.
a. To fall vertically, like a single drop, under the simple influence of gravity; to descend.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > drop or fall vertically
drop1377
ridelc1400
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvi. 79 Euere as þei [apples] dropped adown, Þe deuel was redy, And gadred hem alle togideres.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 136 Ha'st thou not dropt from heauen? View more context for this quotation
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 14 One of the Master's Boys..dropt into the Sea.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 460 Birds flying over it dropt down dead.
1890 Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper 30 Nov. 6/2 You could have heard a pin drop.
1897 N.E.D. at Drop Mod. The sword dropped out of his hand.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1654 Bp. J. Taylor Real Presence 62 That we may not think this doctrine dropt from S. Austin by chance, he again affirmes [etc.].
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads i. 237 His words like Honey dropped from his tongue.
1871 H. J. Roby Gram. Lat. Lang. i. viii. 49 This ablatival d has dropped off also from the adverbs supra, infra, &c.
1897 N.E.D. at Drop Mod. The second t has now dropped out.
c. To have an abrupt descent in position.
ΚΠ
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine (at cited word) Her main-top-sail drops seventeen yards.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. ii. 74 In front the ground drops as sharply as it rises behind.
d. Of a card (in Bridge, etc.): to be played in the same trick as a higher card, esp. because of the need to follow suit. Also transitive, to play (a card) thus; to cause (a card) to be so played.
ΚΠ
1933 E. Culbertson Contract Bridge Blue Bk. (ed. 2) i. iv. 60 Declarer's chances of dropping the outstanding Queen and Knave on the Ace and King leads are proportionately increased.
1936 E. Culbertson Contract Bridge Compl. xxxix. 441 The ten of spades is led. East covers with the Queen, South wins with the Ace, and West drops the seven.
1936 E. Culbertson Contract Bridge Compl. xxxix. 444 The Queen will not drop, for East has followed to three rounds of each suit.
1958 Listener 23 Oct. 669/2 For me, the Queen of trumps never drops in a grand slam.
1960 T. Reese Play Bridge with Reese 115 All follow to the Ace and King of hearts but the Queen does not drop.
1969 D. Hayden Winning Declarer Play (1970) i. i. 12 Do you finesse, or do you play the ace hoping the king will drop?
1969 D. Hayden Winning Declarer Play (1970) ii. x. 183 The chances of dropping a singleton queen are 1/ 6 of 15 percent, or about 21/ 2 percent.
4.
a. To sink to the ground like inanimate matter; to fall exhausted, wounded, or dead.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > specifically of person or animal > fall exhausted or dead
dropa1400
a1400 Octouian 567 Neygh to dede we gan drappe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (1623) i. i. 168 It was your presurmize, That in the dole of blowes, your Son might drop.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 226 [They] were ready to drop downe for griefe.
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 76 Tho' thousands of their Men dropt, they would not give ground an Inch.
1841 J. Forbes Eleven Years in Ceylon (ed. 2) I. 141 I fired; the elephant dropped on his knees.
1856 C. J. Andersson Lake Ngami 371 A..giraffe..dropped dead to the first shot.
b. Of a setter, etc.: To squat down or crouch abruptly at the sight of game. Also transitive, to cause or order (a dog) to drop.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (intransitive)] > point or drop
point1742
set1775
stand1806
drop1840
1840 New Monthly Mag. 60 176 Few French pointers and setters are taught to back or drop.
1870 Blaine's Encycl. Rural Sports (rev. ed.) §2545 After standing some considerable time, she [a pointer] would drop like a setter, still keeping her nose in an exact line, and would continue in that position until the game moved.
1892 Field 7 May 695/3 Druid had birds before him and Blanch a rabbit; the one dropped to wing and the other to fur.
1951 C. R. Acton Dog Ann. 55 Always ‘drop’ the puppy before ordering him to retrieve.
c. drop dead phr. a slang (originally U.S.) exclamation expressing emphatic dislike or scorn of the person addressed. (Cf. quot. 1856 at sense 4a.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > contempt or disesteem [phrase] > expressions of contempt
a straw forc1374
to blow the buck's hornc1405
to go whistle1453
fig's enda1616
to do the other thing1628
indeed1834
(in a) pig's eye (also ear, arse)1847
drop dead1934
1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra vi. 181 ‘Let's put snow on his face.’ ‘Oh, drop dead,’ said Whit.
1953 W. R. Burnett Vanity Row v. 40 ‘It's a pleasure I'm sure,’ said Roy. ‘For who?’ said the girl. ‘Drop dead.’
1957 J. Osborne Look Back in Anger iii. i. 78 Why don't you drop dead!
1959 ‘O. Mills’ Stairway to Murder xxvi. 256 ‘Drop dead,’ he instructed two equally bruised and breathless corporals.
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren iii. 46 The well-worn sentiments..‘Do me a favour—drop dead.’
1969 J. Weidman Centre of Action (1970) xxiii. 238 ‘I mean,’ I said, ‘I don't really know what to say.’ Drop dead seemed singularly inappropriate.
5.
a. Of a person or thing: To fall or pass involuntarily or mechanically into some condition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change [verb (intransitive)] > pass into state, become
yworthOE
worthOE
goOE
becomec1175
come?a1200
waxc1220
charea1225
aworthc1275
makea1300
fallc1300
breedc1325
grow1340
strikea1375
yern1377
entera1382
turna1400
smitec1400
raxa1500
resolvea1500
to get into ——?1510
waxen1540
get1558
prove1560
proceed1578
befall1592
drop1654
evade1677
emerge1699
to turn out1740
to gain into1756
permute1864
slip1864
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 411 Many other Townes..silently drop into Dung Hills, without the least mention in History.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes v. 278 They had drop'd into absolute oblivion.
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) vi. 66 For fear you should drop asleep again.
1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile xxii. 706 We soon dropped back into the old life of sight-seeing and shopping.
b. figurative. To die. See also to drop off at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 410 A small Cottage, that hath, as it were, lived and dyed with her old Master, both dropping down together.
1722 R. Digby Let. to Pope 1 Sept. Nothing, says Seneca..so soon reconciles us to the thought of our own death, as the..prospect of one friend after another dropping round us.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xi. 92 I lay five to two, Matilda drops in a year.
1889 ‘F. Anstey’ Pariah v. i I shall have the old place some day, when the old governor drops.
6. To come to an end through not being kept up; to cease, lapse; to fall through. Also with through.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things, actions, or processes
restOE
leathc1275
stintc1275
slakea1300
ceasec1374
slocka1400
batec1400
lissec1400
stanchc1420
surcease1439
remain1480
stopa1529
break1530
decease1538
falla1555
to shut up1609
subside1654
drop1697
low1790
to go out1850
1697 T. Smith in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 257 We must..let our correspondence drop for the present.
1705 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 31 July The matter was let drop.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 498 The Bill of Rights..in the last Session, had..been suffered to drop.
1865 Punch 13 May 189/2 The debate ‘dropped through’ at a quarter to six.
1896 Notes & Queries 8th Ser. 9 161/2 The search after him was not allowed to drop.
7. To fall in direction, condition, amount, degree, force, or pitch; to sink, become depressed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > decrease in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)]
littleOE
setc1000
wanzec1175
lessc1225
allayc1275
wane1297
slaken1303
disincreasec1374
slakec1380
decrease1382
debatea1400
unwaxa1400
wastea1400
adminishc1400
lessenc1400
imminish14..
aslakec1405
minish?a1425
assuagec1430
shrinkc1449
to let down1486
decay1489
diminish1520
fall1523
rebate1540
batea1542
to come down1548
abate1560
stoop1572
pine1580
slack1580
scanten1585
shrivel1588
decrew1596
remit1629
contract1648
subside1680
lower1697
relax1701
drop1730
to take off1776
to run down1792
reduce1798
recede1810
to run off1816
to go down1823
attenuatea1834
ease1876
downscale1945
1730 J. Swift Libel on Doctor D——ny 3 His Visage drops, he knits his Brow.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere ii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 12 Down dropt the breeze.
1866 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Agric. & Prices I. xiii. 191 The prices slightly dropping afterwards.
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet I. v. 113 His voice had dropped to the lower notes.
8.
a. To allow oneself to be carried quietly down stream; to descend without effort, with the tide or a light wind.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > come into or towards open sea
to fall down1589
disemboguec1595
drop1790
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of tides > [verb (intransitive)] > go with or take advantage of tide
vail1544
avalea1547
to tide it1627
drop1790
to tide one's way1827
1790 Coll. Voy. round World II. i. 378 The Resolution..dropped down the river as far as Woolwich, at which place she was detained by contrary winds.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere i, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 7 Merrily did we drop Below the Kirk, below the Hill, Below the Light-house top.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xvii. 47 We made sail, dropping slowly down with the tide and light wind.
1894 H. Caine Manxman 425 At the turn of the tide the boats began to drop down the harbour.
b. To let oneself fall behind or to the rear by making no effort to keep ahead or to the front.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > lag or fall behind
latch1530
drawlatch1599
to fall behind1652
to hang behind1677
tail1750
lack1775
drop1823
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > fall behind
lag1530
to fall astern1599
drop1823
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Drop astern, [used] to denote the retrograde motion of a ship.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales II. 117 Toby then dropped to the hind part of Tickler..and some thought passed the winning post before Idris.
1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 86 The officers drop to the rear.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Drop astern, to, to slacken a ship's way, so as to suffer another one to pass beyond her.
9.
a. To come or go casually, unexpectedly, or in an apparently undesigned manner (into a place, across, on, upon any person or thing casually met with); to fall upon. Also with adverbs, as by, over, up, etc. See also to drop in at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > visit a place > in the course of travel
to fetch in1565
to take in1622
dropa1634
stop1905
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > encounter or experience > a place or person
fortune1520
dropa1634
to fall in1675
a1634 W. Austin Devotionis Augustinianæ Flamma (1635) 73 Not dropping into Towne, (like men, that follow their private affaires, and no body lookes after them): but, they make their entrance in a publike manner.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 47. ⁋5 I looked into Shakespear. The Tragedy I dropped into was, Harry the Fourth.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles I. iii. 39 He's sure to drop across somebody that..wants it.
1868 J. Bright Speeches Public Policy I. 12 Such is the system of foreign policy pursued by the Board of Control—that is to say, by the gentlemen who drop down there for six or eight or twelve months.
1877 ‘Mrs. Forrester’ Mignon I. 11 We shall probably drop upon a stray couple of lovers.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul II. x. lvii. 584 When the Church grew, and heathens dropped not unfrequently into its meetings.
1887 Lantern (New Orleans) 12 Nov. 3/2 If Superintendent Adams will accidentally-on-purpose drop up there some night perhaps he'll ketch them.
1893 ‘M. Twain’ in Authors Club Bk. I. 158 I only just dropped over to ask about the little madam.
1930 L. Hughes Not without Laughter xix. 216 Drop by Sunday and lemme know for sure.
1935 F. M. Ford Let. 27 Sept. (1965) 244 Wouldn't it be better if you dropped over here for a little and we could talk about the book.
b. Slang phr. to drop (down) to or on (to): to come casually or accidentally to knowledge of (something); to understand, become aware of, recognize. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > quickly, casually
to fall on ——1533
hit1555
strikea1610
to drop (down) to or on (to)1819
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > severely
dressc1405
wipe1523
to take up1530
whip1530
to shake upa1556
trounce1607
castigatea1616
lasha1616
objurgate1616
thunderstrike1638
snub1672
drape1683
cut1737
rowa1798
score1812
to dress down1823
to pitch into ——1823
wig1829
to row (a person) up1838
to catch or get Jesse1839
slate1840
drop1853
to drop (down) to or on (to)1859
to give (a person) rats1862
to jump upon1868
to give (a person) fits1871
to give it to someone (pretty) stiff1880
lambaste1886
ruck1899
bollock1901
bawl1903
scrub1911
burn1914
to hang, draw, and quarter1930
to tear a strip off1940
to tear (someone) off a strip1940
brass1943
rocket1948
bitch1952
tee1955
fan-
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 168 To drop down to a person is to discover or be aware of his character or designs.
1859 G. W. Matsell Vocabulum 54 The copper..could not drop to my chant or mug,..the officer..could not recollect my name or face.
1876 Coso Mining News (Darwin, Calif.) 3 June 4/6 Drop on yourself Lent, you are out of season.
1886 Lantern (New Orleans) 6 Oct. 2/2 The crowd dropped to his little game.
1887 Lantern (New Orleans) 17 Sept. 2/3 The boys..ain't never dropped onto the way of Ed Vaz.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms I. x. 118 I could see him..watching me when I put on the whole box and dice of the telegraph business. He ‘dropped’, I could see.
1895 J. Roberts Diary 31/1 I dropped down to it after a bit.
1901 M. E. Ryan That Girl Montana viii. 118 As I slipped out through the back door before your visitors left, I dropped to the fact that you had some damage done to that left arm.
1964 R. Braddon Year Angry Rabbit xv. 136 It was the only place we could live—without being caught that is. Surprises me you never dropped to it, Mr Prime Minister, sir.
10. To come down upon, on with a surprise, a check, or forcible reproof; to ‘pitch into’. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > severely
dressc1405
wipe1523
to take up1530
whip1530
to shake upa1556
trounce1607
castigatea1616
lasha1616
objurgate1616
thunderstrike1638
snub1672
drape1683
cut1737
rowa1798
score1812
to dress down1823
to pitch into ——1823
wig1829
to row (a person) up1838
to catch or get Jesse1839
slate1840
drop1853
to drop (down) to or on (to)1859
to give (a person) rats1862
to jump upon1868
to give (a person) fits1871
to give it to someone (pretty) stiff1880
lambaste1886
ruck1899
bollock1901
bawl1903
scrub1911
burn1914
to hang, draw, and quarter1930
to tear a strip off1940
to tear (someone) off a strip1940
brass1943
rocket1948
bitch1952
tee1955
fan-
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxiv. 250 He's welcome to drop into me, right and left.
1857 Sessions Paper 9 Apr. 762 If you give me in custody you will be dropped upon for it.
1877 W. H. Thomson Five Years' Penal Servitude iv. 268 (Farmer) Do the police ever drop upon the parties and frustrate their plans?
1894 W. H. Wilkins & H. Vivian Green Bay Tree I. 48 The poor Pigeon will get dropped on.
1894 G. Moore Esther Waters i. 4 You'll have to mind your p's and q's or else you'll be dropped on.
1919 Strand Mag. Apr. 290/2 He'll get dropped on one of these days.
1959 Listener 2 Apr. 603/3 The present system creates in the minds of people who are prosecuted the feeling that it is unfair that they have been dropped on and other people have not.
II. Transitive senses.absolute.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 36 Sende Lazar..that he his finger wete In water, so that he maie droppe Upon my tonge.1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iii. i. 19 In summers drought, Ile drop vpon thee still. View more context for this quotation
11. To let fall or shed (liquid) in drops or small portions; to distil; to shed (tears). Also figurative ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > let fall or drop > in drops
dripec893
dripc1000
dropa1340
shed1590
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Prol. Þai drope swetnes in mannys saule.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 101 Herbes groweþ þeron þat droppeþ gom.
a1400–50 Alexander 3801 A litill drysnyng of dewe was droppid fra þe heuen.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. iii. (R.) That the thyng..be stilled, & as it wer dropped into the heartes of men.
a1626 L. Andrewes Serm. (1641) 429 If these eyes of Iob have droppen many a teare.
1736 Compl. Family-piece i. i. 13 Drop in it thirty or forty of Jones's Drops.
1798 J. Austen Let. 27 Oct. (1995) 16 I had the dignity of dropping out my mother's Laudanum last night.
12. To sprinkle with or as with drops; to be-drop; to spot; to dot with spots of colour. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of sprinkling > sprinkle liquid or something with liquid [verb (transitive)] > sprinkle something with liquid > with or as with drops
dropc1430
drizzle1810
the world > matter > colour > variegation > spot of colour > spot [verb (transitive)]
ver?a1400
degout1423
spot?c1425
drop1548
polka dot1900
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) i. ci. 55 The scrippe thus dropped with this blood.
c1450 J. Lydgate Stans Puer (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 31 Droppe not þi brest with seew & oþer potage.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xij The flancardes droped and gutted with red.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 406 Thir wav'd coats dropt with Gold. View more context for this quotation
c1820 S. Rogers Italy (1839) 253 Fish Innumerable dropt with crimson and gold.
13.
a. To let fall (like a drop or drops). Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > let fall or drop
shed?c1225
dropc1315
fallc1475
c1315 Shoreham 17 So habbeth..Crystnynge, Her signe, droppynge in the water.
a1400–50 Alexander 1363 Þe kyng..Devynez deply on days, dropes mony willes.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 530/1 I droppe a wyle, as a crafty man dothe, jaffine..Let me alone with hym, I shall droppe a wyle to begyle him.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iv. 50 He would haue dropt his knife and fell asleepe. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 231 It may wel be cal'd Ioues tree, when it droppes forth fruite. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 27 His rosie Wreath was dropt not long before.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Poems 149 Furl the sail! drop the oar! Leap ashore!
1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. II. vi. iii. 54 Bodies..dropt from an elevated object.
b. to drop anchor: to let the anchor down, to cast anchor. See cast v. 6a. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor [verb (intransitive)] > anchor
anchor?c1225
to come to (an) anchor?1473
to let go1530
to moor anchor1578
moor1627
to come to a killick1630
to drop anchor1634
to let fall1638
to let down1662
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 27 Tyding, vp with streame-Anchors, each sixe houres weighing and dropping.
1682 S. Pepys Diary VI. 143 Dropped presently her anchor, and is..come safe in harbour.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 27 We dropt our little Anchor, and lay still all Night.
1773 Ann. Reg. 1772 151/1 Soon after the Venus had dropped, the master of the ceremonies and the captain..were sent on board.
1890 H. M. Stanley In Darkest Afr. I. 373 The steamer dropped anchor in the baylet of Nyamsassi.
c. To plant (corn) by letting fall on prepared ground. U.S.
ΚΠ
1854 T. D. Price MS Diary 22 May Afternoon dropped corn.
1909 G. Stratton-Porter Girl of Limberlost xi. 218 I earned it myself, dropping corn, sticking onions, and pulling weeds.
d. To form by dropping from a shot-tower into a water-cistern.
ΚΠ
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 165 Lead shot is of two kinds: that which is moulded, as large buckshot, and that which is ‘dropped’, as the ordinary small shot.
e. to drop a brick, to drop a clanger, to drop a bollock: see brick n.1 and adj.1 Phrases 7, clanger n., bollock n. and adj. Phrases 1.
14. To let fall in birth; to give birth to (young); to lay (an egg). The usual word in reference to sheep. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > confine or deliver [verb (transitive)] > give birth
forthbring971
akenOE
haveOE
bearOE
to bring into the worldOE
teemOE
i-bereOE
to bring forthc1175
childc1175
reara1275
ofkenc1275
hatcha1350
makea1382
yielda1400
cleck1401
issue1447
engenderc1450
infant1483
deliver?a1518
whelp1581
world1596
yean1598
fall1600
to give (a person or thing) birth1615
to give birth to1633
drop1662
pup1699
born1703
to throw off1742
beteem1855
birth1855
parturiate1866
shell1890
to put to bed1973
bring-
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (transitive)] > give birth to
bearOE
whelpc1175
kindle?c1225
hatcha1350
yeana1387
calvea1425
producea1513
dam1577
cast1587
rewhelp1605
render1607
store1611
drop1662
warp1738
kit1758
kitten1824
throw1824
cub1864
1662 S. Pepys Diary 22 June (1970) III. 117 A Portugall lady..that hath dropped a child already, since the Queenes coming.
c1709 M. Prior 2nd Hymn Callimachus 64 Ewes, that erst brought forth but single lambs, Now dropp'd their twofold burthens.
1749 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage II. 17 The Does passing to the South~ward to Fawn or drop their Young.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. App. 263 At the time the ewes drop.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. 11 Mares drop their foals in January.
1834 R. Mudie Feathered Tribes Brit. Islands I. 46 The eggs are not..dropped till toward the end of May.
15.
a. To let fall (words, a hint, etc.); to utter casually or by the way. Also with object clause.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > mention or speak of > mention briefly or casually
name1542
drop1611
touch1895
1611 Bible (King James) Amos vii. 16 Prophecie not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) Man. iv. i. 337 Both these Authors can somtimes drop leasings.
1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 23 Jan. Keile dropt..by chance, yt my Ld. Pembroke was inform'd.
1772 H. Walpole Last Jrnls. (1859) I. 15 She never dropped a syllable which intimated her expecting death.
1888 J. W. Burgon Lives Twelve Good Men II. x. 268 Quoting short Latin sayings, without dropping a hint as to their authorship.
b. To let (a letter or note) fall into the letter-box; hence, to send (a note, etc.) in a casual or informal way.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > send items [verb (transitive)] > informally
drop1769
1769 G. Whitefield Let. 5 Sept. in Wks. (1771) III. 392 Although I could not write to you whilst ashore, yet I must drop you a few lines now I am come aboard.
1777 J. Adams in J. Adams & A. Adams Familiar Lett. (1876) 234 I will drop a line as often as I can.
1889 E. Dowson Let. 25 Mar. (1967) 57 If you can dine with me to-night somewhere drop me a wire to Bridge Dock before 5.
1945 Bristol (New Hampsh.) Enterprise 15 Feb. 3/4 Just drop a card to your county agent.
16. slang.
a. To give, lose, or part with (money). Also absol., to lose or give away money.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > financial loss > lose money [verb (transitive)]
drop1676
sink1777
to clear out1850
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > financial loss > suffer financial loss [verb (intransitive)]
to be out of one's way1596
to be in disburse1608
to be out of purse1615
bleed1671
to lie out of one's money1860
drop1876
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer iii. i After a tedious fretting and wrangling, they drop away all their money on both sides.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) He dropp'd me a quid, he gave me a guinea.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. v. 42 We played hazard..And I dropped all the money I had from you in the morning.
1876 W. Besant & J. Rice Golden Butterfly III. i. 5 Tommy is dropping pretty heavily [at écarté].
1893 I. Burton Life R. F. Burton I. 590 He was afraid he would drop several thousand pounds.
1916 E. Wallace Clue of Twisted Candle (1918) xvii. 194 ‘Did she drop?’ asked the other eagerly... ‘She hasn't got the money,’ he said, ‘but she's going to get it.’
1931 C. Massie Confessions of Vagabond vii. 79 Such men frequently ‘drop’ generously.
1939 H. Hodge Cab, Sir? 222 To tip well is to ‘drop heavy’.
b. To pass (counterfeit money, cheques, etc.). slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > circulation of money > put into circulation [verb (transitive)] > pass counterfeits
to give (one) the slip1567
output1576
to nail up for a slip1594
spring1686
smash1801
shove1859
drop1938
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad xiv. 150 ‘Dropping’ the forgers' cheques.
1962 Daily Tel. 23 June 9/1 Both lots of notes were printed on the Continent and are being ‘dropped’ in this country.
1968 ‘L. Black’ Outbreak xiii. 131 The known value of counterfeit fivers dropped is more than double that.
c. To swallow or take (a drug); esp. in to drop acid (cf. acid adj. and n. Compounds 2). slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (intransitive)]
sleigh-ride1845
drug1893
dope1909
to hit the gong, gow, stuff1933
use1951
to get down1952
to turn on1954
goof1962
joy-pop1962
to drop acid1966
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (transitive)]
abuse1901
drop1966
do1969
misuse1970
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by medicine or drug > treat with drugs [verb (transitive)] > take drug or medicine
takea1400
introsume1657
drop1966
1966 R. Alpert & S. Cohen LSD (inside cover) Drop a cap, swallow a capsule of LSD.
1967 R. Bronsteen Hippies' Handbk. 13 I dropped my first acid in Paris.
1969 Guardian 3 Dec. 9/1 She had dropped some LSD and had been tripping for an unknown number of hours.
1971 ‘E. McBain’ Hail, Hail, Gang's all Here ii. 170 I realized he was on an acid trip... I tried to find out what he'd dropped.
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 183 I was using the Mandrax my dentist had given me, surreptitiously dropping one at ten thirty.
1984 S. Bellow in Vanity Fair (N.Y.) Feb. 110/2 Some kids are dropping acid, stealing cars.
1985 S. Vanauken Under Mercy iv. 81 We obtained two six-hit caps and, recklessly, decided to drop the lot.
17. to drop a curtsy: to make a curtsy by lowering the body; so, to drop a nod.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > respect or show respect [verb (intransitive)] > bow, kneel, or curtsey
loutc825
abowOE
bowa1000
kneel?a1000
kneec1000
crookc1320
to bow the knee1382
inclinec1390
crouchc1394
croukc1394
coucha1500
plya1500
to make or do courtesy1508
beck1535
to make a (long, low, etc.) leg1548
curtsya1556
dopc1557
binge1562
jouk1567
beckon1578
benda1586
humblea1592
vaila1593
to scrape a leg1602
congee1606
to give the stoop1623
leg1628
scrape1645
to drop a curtsy1694
salaam1698
boba1794
dip1818
to make (also perform) a cheese1834
1694 R. L'Estrange Fables (1714) cccx. 325 She very Civilly dropt him a Cursie.
1880 G. Meredith Tragic Comedians II. ix. 145 Tresten dropped a nod.
18. To bring or throw to the ground by a blow or shot; to fell with a blow, ‘floor’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low
layc888
afelleOE
to throw downa1250
groundc1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
stoopc1275
evena1382
abatec1390
to bring downa1400
falla1400
welt?a1400
throwa1450
tumble1487
succumb1490
strewa1500
vaila1592
flat1607
level1614
floor1642
to fetch down1705
drop1726
supplant1751
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 199 I..dispatch'd two of 'em immediately; and I had made a shift to drop a third.
1812 Sporting Mag. 39 243 The coachman dropped his man the first round.
1813 J. Q. Adams Wks. (1856) X. 54 The wood-cutter..was puzzled to find a tree to drop.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales II. 151 I..planted my fist..under his jaw-bone, and dropped him at once.
1872 H. M. Stanley How I found Livingstone (1890) 460 I..fired at it; but..did not succeed in dropping it.
19. To deposit from a ship or vehicle; to set down; also, to leave (a packet) at a person's house.
ΚΠ
1796 Ld. Nelson 4 Aug. in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 233 So soon as he has dropped the Convoy at Naples, he will proceed on his voyage.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 296 [He] promised to drop us at the Shetland Islands.
1859 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 395 I will drop this at your door in passing for my drive.
1878 S. Walpole Hist. Eng. II. 551 He would..stop his coach to drop a friend at his own door.
20. To omit (a letter or syllable) in pronunciation or writing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > incorrectness of language > abuse language [verb (transitive)] > through omission
drop1864
1864 Ld. Tennyson Sea Dreams 192 Dropping the too rough H in Hell and Heaven.
1871 H. J. Roby Gram. Lat. Lang. i. viii. 49 The preposition prod always drops the d in composition except before a vowel.
1872 O. W. Holmes Poet at Breakfast-table ii. 42 He does not drop his hs.
1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect Long Life II. 191 The son of a celebrated clown, Gomery, who had dropped the aristocratic syllable Mont.
21. To let droop or hang down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (transitive)] > to let eyelid droop
lower1721
drop1842
1842 L. Hunt Palfrey i. 149 I blush, dear uncle; I drop mine eye-lids.
1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. vii. 94 The fair Tamar dropped her eyes, and hung her head.
22.
a. To let move gently with the tide.
ΚΠ
1805 W. Hunter in Naval Chron. 13 24 Admiral H...ordered me to drop the Cutter up-abreast of Common Hard.
b. to drop astern: to leave in the rear.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > leave in the rear
to drop astern1867
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Drop astern, to..distancing a competitor.
1887 Daily Tel. 10 Sept. 2/5 A couple of..catboats..were dropped astern at a great rate.
23. To lower (the voice) in pitch or loudness.
ΚΠ
1860 E. C. Gaskell Right at Last 31 He dropped his voice.
24. Rugby.
a. To obtain (a goal) by a drop-kick.
ΚΠ
1882 Standard 20 Nov. 2/8 B. then dropped another goal.
b. intransitive. To make a drop-kick.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > play rugby football [verb (intransitive)] > actions or manoeuvres
pack1874
heel1884
scrum1890
goal1900
drop1905
to give (or sell) the (or a) dummy1907
ruck1910
jinka1914
to drop out1917
fly-kick1930
scissor1935
quick-heel1936
short-punt1937
touch-kick1954
grubber-kick1958
peel1960
corner-flag1962
to chip and chase1970
box kick1977
1905 A. Conan Doyle Return Sherlock Holmes 310 He couldn't drop from the twenty-five line, and a three-quarter who can't either punt or drop isn't worth a place for pace alone.
25. To cease to keep up, or have to do with; to have done with; to leave off or let alone; to break off acquaintance or association with. drop it! (colloquial or slang) Have done! leave off!
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cease to deal or have to do with
dropa1616
close1642
to finish with1782
to let up on1882
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)]
leaveeOE
forsakec1175
waive1340
twinc1386
refuse1389
to set aside1426
relinquish1454
abuse1471
renouncec1480
disaccustom1483
to break from1530
to lay aside1530
disprofess1590
dropa1616
to set bya1674
decline1679
unpractise?1680
slough1845
shake1872
sluff1934
kick1936
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate or isolate [verb (transitive)] > break off association with
dropa1616
to part company1720
ding1819
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it!
to do waya1325
stay1601
go and eat coke1669
to leave off1785
whoa1838
drop it!1843
cut1859
turn it up1867
to come off ——1896
to chuck it1901
knock it off!1902
cut it out1903
nix1903
break it down1941
to shove it1941
leave it out!1969
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. i. 123 Certaine friends..Whose loues I may not drop . View more context for this quotation
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical vii. 75 Let us drop that Matter.
1700 Roderick in Ballard MSS. 23. 23 The..bill is likely to be dropt.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 89. ¶1 She will drop him in his old Age, if she can find her account in another.
1767 J. Wesley Jrnl. 20 Nov. I save at least eightpence by dropping tea in the afternoon.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xx. 250 Drop it, I say!.. Drop it—now and for ever.
1872 Public Opinion 24 Feb. 241 He looked at me angrily, and briefly answered, ‘drop it’.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxiv. 403 So the subject was discreetly dropped.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 88 A custom which had once been universal, and had never been entirely dropped.
1889 J. A. Froude Two Chiefs Dunboy xxvii ‘Drop that..or..I will drive a bullet through the brain of you.’
Phrasal verbs
With adverbs. to drop away to drop in to drop off to drop out to drop short
intransitive. To fall away drop by drop, or one by one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > one by one
to drop away1603
to drop off1709
1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 18 Then began they to drop away one by one, leauing the camp so disordered.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 323 The Men might drop away, and..betray all the rest.
1882 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Eng. 18th Cent. IV. xv. 252 If the war continued much longer, America would almost certainly drop away.
1. intransitive. See simple senses and in adv.
2. intransitive. To come in unintentionally; to come in or call unexpectedly or casually; to pay a casual visit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > come in unexpectedly
to drop in1609
to look ina1616
to blow in1895
pop1977
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach a point or place [verb (intransitive)] > arrive
comeOE
to come to townOE
yworthOE
lend11..
lightc1225
to come anovenonc1275
wina1300
'rivec1300
repaira1325
applyc1384
to come ina1399
rede?a1400
arrivec1400
attainc1400
alightc1405
to come to handc1450
unto-comec1450
apport1578
to be along1597
to drop in1609
to come ona1635
to walk in1656
land1679
engage1686
to come along1734
to get in1863
to turn up1870
to fall in1900
to lob1916
to roll up1920
to breeze in1930
to rock up1975
society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (intransitive)] > visit informally
to call in1573
to drop in1609
to look ina1616
to come round1620
to go round1636
to put in1668
to go around1742
to happen in1749
to run in and out1779
to come around1822
to pop in and out1846
to happen in with1883
to stop in1904
stop1905
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xc. sig. F3v Ioine with the spight of fortune, make me bow. And doe not drop in for an after losse.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 28 Oct. Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, dropped in.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. i. 2 He dropt in upon us as we were going to dinner.
1849 W. Irving Oliver Goldsmith (rev. ed.) xiv. 150 Many dropped in uninvited.
1887 A. Jessopp Arcady ii. 34 The younger neighbours drop in to have a talk.
3. intransitive. To come in one by one or at intervals.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > arrive [verb (intransitive)] > one by one
to drop in1697
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach a point or place [verb (intransitive)] > arrive > one by one
to drop in1697
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World viii. 219 These..came dropping in one or two at a time, as they were able.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xxiv. 417 The other legions dropped in slowly.
4. intransitive. To fall casually into one's hands or disposal, to become vacant.
ΚΠ
1771 Mrs. J. Harris in Private Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (1870) I. 189 Till a larger patent place in the West Indies..drops in.
5. intransitive. To meet casually with, to fall in with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > encounter or experience
ymetec893
findeOE
meetOE
counterc1325
overtakec1390
limp?a1400
tidea1400
runa1450
to fall with ——?c1475
onlightc1475
recounterc1485
recount1490
to come in witha1500
occur1531
to fall on ——1533
to fall upon ——1533
beshine1574
rencontre1582
entertain1591
cope with1594
happen1594
tocome1596
incur1599
forgather1600
thwart1601
to fall in1675
cross1684
to come across ——1738
to cross upon (or on)1748
to fall across ——1760
experience1786
to drop in1802
encounter1814
to come upon ——1820
to run against ——1821
to come in contact with1862
to run across ——1864
to knock or run up against1886
to knock up against1887
1802 E. Parsons Myst. Visit IV. 217 The party Lord Lymington accidentally dropped in with.
6. intransitive. Surfing. (a) To obstruct another surfer by beginning one's surf ride in his path. (b) To slide down the face of the wave immediately after take-off.
ΚΠ
1965 P. L. Dixon Compl. Bk. Surfing (1966) 195 Drop in, a big surf term meaning to continue the slide down the face of the wave to gain speed.
1967 Surfabout 4 iii. 27/1 Most of you are still beginners, so before taking-off on a wave, check carefully to see that no one has picked up a wave farther along, and is coming straight for you. This is usually termed ‘dropping in’ and you won't find yourself particularly popular if you are caught doing this.
1968 Surfer Jan. 52/1 Martinson dropped in with one stroke.
1968 W. Warwick Surfriding in N.Z. 17/2 Don't drop in on other surfers on a wave.
1971 Stud. in Eng. (Univ. Cape Town) Feb. 26 It is a mark of a gremlin or gremmy to drop in (i.e., to take off on the outside of someone who has already started to take off).
1. intransitive. See simple senses and off adv.
2. intransitive. To withdraw or retire one by one, or by degrees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > one by one
to drop away1603
to drop off1709
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 149. ⁋2 I..found the [others]..drop off designedly to leave me alone with the eldest Daughter.
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI viii. 65 The banqueteers had dropped off one by one.
1890 Cent. Mag. Nov. 112/1 The membership of the Society began dropping off.
3. intransitive. To fall asleep.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > [verb (intransitive)] > go to sleep or fall asleep
to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE
to fall overa1752
to go off1813
to drop off1820
to fall off1822
to get off to sleep1837
to fall off1862
tope1863
sleepy-baw1907
to go out1928
to zizz off1962
1820 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) I. v. 159 He put his arms round his own mother's neck..and dropped off.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. xiii. 224 Whenever they saw me dropping off, [they] woke me up.
4. intransitive. To die; = 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
1699 J. Jackson Let. in S. Pepys Diary & Corr. (1879) VI. 213 He is..extremely ill, and could not do a greater service to strangers than to drop off at this juncture.
c1771 S. Foote Maid of Bath iii. 51 He dropp'd off in six months.
1884 G. Allen Philistia II. 56 He..would probably drop off quietly with suppressed gout.
5. intransitive. To become less frequent or assiduous in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > become less violent or severe [verb (intransitive)] > relax one's efforts
slakec1000
slakea1225
flakec1500
slack1560
slacken1641
relax1652
to slack one's hand(s)1688
to drop off1827
ease1863
slack1864
to ease off1925
1827 Examiner 684/1 The defendant began to drop off in his visits.
1. intransitive. (See simple senses and out adv., int., and prep.)
ΚΠ
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 100 The shell opens, and the nut drops out.
1865 J. D. Whitney Rep. Geol. Surv. Calif.: Geology I. x. 422 If the bottom of the Yosemite did ‘drop out’..it was not all done in one piece.
2. To withdraw or disappear from one's (or its) place in a series, group, etc.; to disappear from public notice; spec. to ‘opt out’ from society.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > choose not to do something
to drop out1883
to opt out1951
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > withdraw (from a task or undertaking) > from a group, game, or competition
to take (also strike, etc.) off the books1755
scratch1866
to stand down1874
to drop out1883
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi li. 507 I asked him to hold my musket while I dropped out and got a drink.
1932 A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms 69 One of the runners soon dropped out.
1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage iii. 38 Sometimes a player drops out through illness or accident.
1952 G. W. Brace Spire (1953) xx. 195 Hadn't you better drop out and make a new start in the autumn?
1962 Sunday Times 21 Jan. 24/6 They say to me: Of course you remember So-and-So; and of course I say I do; but I really don't, it's somebody who's dropped right out.
1967 Listener 31 Aug. 273/3 Drop out of school, because schools' education today is the worst narcotic drug of all. Don't politic, don't vote... Drop out—tune in with natural things.
1970 Daily Tel. 17 Apr. (Colour Suppl.) 9/4 He had started a university course in San Francisco but dropped out for reasons not yet known.
3. Rugby. To make a drop-kick (see dropout n. 1).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > play rugby football [verb (intransitive)] > actions or manoeuvres
pack1874
heel1884
scrum1890
goal1900
drop1905
to give (or sell) the (or a) dummy1907
ruck1910
jinka1914
to drop out1917
fly-kick1930
scissor1935
quick-heel1936
short-punt1937
touch-kick1954
grubber-kick1958
peel1960
corner-flag1962
to chip and chase1970
box kick1977
1917 A. Waugh Loom of Youth ii. ii. 127 In a state of feverish panic Livingstone dropped out.
4. Photography. To eliminate (something) from a negative, plate, etc.; spec. to eliminate the highlight dots from (part of a half-tone negative or plate). Also absol. or intransitive. Cf. dropout n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > photographic processes > [verb (transitive)] > improve negative
dodge1883
to drop out1948
1948 L. Flader & J. S. Mertle Mod. Photoengraving p. xxi/2 Dropout, a highlight halftone negative or printing plate; ‘dropping-out’ is the elimination of highlight dot formations.
1951 F. Preucil in Progress in Photogr. I. xi. 390 Special copy preparation to drop out highlights is used.
1967 R. R. Karch & E. J. Buber Graphic Arts Procedures: Offset Processes iv. 125 Modification is possible to..drop-out shadows in Benday screens.
1. intransitive. To fall short; usually with of, to fail to reach or obtain. (In quot. 1697, to drop simply, in same sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > not obtaining or acquiring > not to be obtained [verb (intransitive)] > fail to obtain
to miss of ——a1275
to snap short1677
to drop shorta1688
the world > space > extension in space > extend in space [verb (intransitive)] > reach (to) > fall short
faint1623
to drop short1850
a1688 J. Bunyan Heavenly Foot-man (1698) 1 Many Eminent Professors drop short of a welcom from God into his pleasant place.
1697 J. Collier Ess. Moral Subj. (ed. 2) i. vi. 216 Often it Drops, or overshoots by the Disproportions of Distance, or Application.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 152 A strake which drops short of the stem.
2. intransitive. colloquial or slang. To die.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
1826 Sporting Mag. 22 327 One of these days he must drop short.
Draft additions 1993
Also in colloquial phrase ready (or fit) to drop: tired out, physically exhausted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective]
wearyc825
asadc1306
ateyntc1325
attaintc1325
recrayed1340
methefula1350
for-wearya1375
matea1375
taintc1380
heavy1382
fortireda1400
methefula1400
afoundered?a1425
tewedc1440
travailedc1440
wearisomec1460
fatigate1471
defatigatec1487
tired1488
recreant1490
yolden?1507
fulyeit?a1513
traiked?a1513
tavert1535
wearied1538
fatigated1552
awearya1555
forwearied1562
overtired1567
spenta1568
done1575
awearied1577
stank1579
languishinga1586
bankrupt?1589
fordone1590
spent1591
overwearied1592
overworn1592
outworn1597
half-dead1601
back-broken1603
tiry1611
defatigated1612
dog-wearya1616
overweary1617
exhaust1621
worn-out1639
embossed1651
outspent1652
exhausted1667
beaten1681
bejaded1687
harassed1693
jaded1693
lassate1694
defeata1732
beat out1758
fagged1764
dog-tired1770
fessive1773
done-up1784
forjeskit1786
ramfeezled1786
done-over1789
fatigued1791
forfoughten1794
worn-up1812
dead1813
out-burnta1821
prostrate1820
dead beat1822
told out1822
bone-tireda1825
traiky1825
overfatigued1834
outwearied1837
done like (a) dinner1838
magged1839
used up1839
tuckered outc1840
drained1855
floored1857
weariful1862
wappered1868
bushed1870
bezzled1875
dead-beaten1875
down1885
tucked up1891
ready (or fit) to drop1892
buggered-up1893
ground-down1897
played1897
veal-bled1899
stove-up1901
trachled1910
ragged1912
beat up1914
done in1917
whacked1919
washy1922
pooped1928
shattered1930
punchy1932
shagged1932
shot1939
whipped1940
buggered1942
flaked (out)1942
fucked1949
sold-out1958
wiped1958
burnt out1959
wrung out1962
juiced1965
hanging1971
zonked1972
maxed1978
raddled1978
zoned1980
cream crackered1983
1892 C. M. Yonge That Stick I. ii. 16 Of all the sluts I've ever been plagued with, she's the very worst, and so I tell her till I'm ready to drop.
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. 822/3 He walked until he was fit to drop.
1919 G. B. Shaw Great Catherine ii. 136 I wear a crown until my neck aches: I stand looking majestic until I am ready to drop.
1969 ‘M. Fallon’ Fine Night for Dying v. 56 She looked tired, ready to drop at any moment.
1987 N.Y. Times 20 Sept. i. 48/6 At the end of the year, I was ready to drop, but he does it year in and year out.
Draft additions 1993
Sport. To lose (a contest, game, etc.), esp. unexpectedly. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > lose > unexpectedly
drop1961
1961 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Disp. 2 May 4 c/8 New York's '51 Giants..dropped 11 of their first 13 [games].
1970 R. Coover Universal Baseball Assoc. vii. 204 Play the game, play it out. So they did and dropped the last nine games in a row.
1978 Washington Post 28 Jan. f7/2 Mayer immediately dropped four games in a row, double-faulting to lose his serve to 2–3.
1986 Daily Tel. 1 July 29/5 Helena Sukova..has not dropped a set in her four matches.
1987 Washington Post 10 Oct. d7/3 Only once, in 1985, have the Capitals been above the .500 mark..after 20 games. They dropped their first three that year.
Draft additions 1993
To lower or take down (one's trousers), esp. publicly.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > moral or spiritual impurity > indecency > make indecent or obscene [verb (transitive)] > indecent exposure
smut1722
flash1846
moon1964
dropa1967
a1967 J. Orton What Butler Saw (1969) i. 41 He takes it off, kicks away his shoes and drops his trousers.
1977 Washington Post 5 June d4/1 The unknown qualifier dropped his pants and began screaming madly at the course, the qualifying school and the game of golf.
1986 City Limits 12 June 15/2 I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen.
Draft additions 1993
euphemistic. To dismiss (a worker); also, to expel (a student). U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge
to put awaya1387
discharge1428
dismiss1477
to put out of wages1542
discard1589
to turn away1602
to put off1608
disemploy1619
to pay off1648
to pay off1651
to turn out1667
to turn off1676
quietus1688
strip1756
trundle1794
unshop1839
shopc1840
to lay off1841
sack1841
drop1845
to give (a person) the shoot1846
bag1848
swap1862
fire1879
to knock off1881
bounce1884
to give (a person) the pushc1886
to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888
bump1899
spear1911
to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911
terminate1920
tramp1941
shitcan1961
pink slip1966
dehire1970
resize1975
to give a person his jotters1990
society > education > educational administration > school administration > [verb (transitive)] > punishment > expel
drop1845
bunk1890
sack1914
1845 Lowell (Mass.) Offering V. 239 They might ‘drop the operative’.
1865 N.Y. Herald 29 June 5/5 Two men who have made most distinguished reputations in this war, have each had sons ‘dropped’ here [i.e. at West Point].
1894 Harper's Mag. Apr. 770/1 He must maintain a certain standard of scholarship or he will be dropped.
1938 N.Y. Times 7 Aug. v. 1 (heading) Cochrane dropped as Tigers' pilot; Baker is appointed new manager.
1940 Univ. Washington Catal. 1940–41 66 The college concerned is to decide when a student on probation, because of continued low scholarship, shall be dropped from the college.
1965 Bull. Southern Methodist Univ. School of Humanities 39 A student who fails to attain a 1.0 grade-point average in any semester is dropped.
1982 N.Y. Times 14 Feb. i. 23/5 The proposed reductions in the 1983 budget were expected to force the Soil Conservation Service to drop 900 employees from its work force.
Draft additions 1993
Sport. To discard (a player) from a team.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [verb (transitive)] > discard player from team
drop1949
1949 F. A. Lewis Cleveland Indians i. 5 When the switch to a pro team was made in the ensuing winter, most of the amateur team was dropped.
1951 Sport 27 Jan. 3/1 Streten is playing too well to be dropped!
1976 Economist 25 Dec. 27/3 It could also..bring new demands from players: they might sue coaches for dropping them from the team, or otherwise use their new legal muscle in court.
1981 G. Boycott In Fast Lane i. 8 Then he was dropped by England after a couple of Test matches at home, and I feel he was discarded too soon.
1990 Thames Valley Now Feb. 23/1 Botham was not dropped, merely relieved of the captaincy.
Draft additions 1993
transitive. To set down (a passenger). Cf. sense 19 above.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport or convey in a vehicle [verb (transitive)] > set down
to set down1669
to put down1795
to leave off1848
land1853
to put off1867
drop1961
1961 L. Biddle Sam Bentley's Island vii. 73 ‘We'll drop Mr. Rawlings off in Ardmore’, Julia said.
1978 S. Sheldon Bloodline xii. 156 When Rhys dropped Elizabeth off at school, she said, ‘I don't know how to thank you.’
1983 J. M. Coetzee Life & Times Michael K i. 130 They were dropped off at various farms in the district according to a roster the driver kept.
1986 M. Forster Private Papers 151 She allowed him to drop her off at our respective residences.
Draft additions January 2005
transitive. slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). [With allusion to the (former) cost of a call made from a public telephone.] to drop a dime and variants: to inform on or betray a person, to act as an informer; to report illegal activity, esp. to the police. Frequently with on.
ΚΠ
1966 N.Y. Post 24 Aug. 30/1 To inform on someone is called ‘dropping the dime’.
1983 Washington Post 14 Jan. c5/2 You mean all these people have dropped the dime on you and you're not going to make a statement on them?
1988 N. Stephenson Zodiac iii. 24 As soon as we're done I'm going to drop a dime on one of our earnest young ecolawyers and see if we can sue the crap out of him.
1997 D. Simon & E. Burns Corner 104 He could see the dusty bitch dropping dime over a single vial.
Draft additions April 2004
transitive. slang (originally U.S.).
a. to drop science: to impart knowledge or wisdom, frequently about social issues, esp. through the medium of rap or hip-hop music.
ΚΠ
1987 ‘Eric B. & Rakim’ My Melody (transcript of song) in www.rapgenius.com (O.E.D. Archive) I drop science like a scientist.
1988 ‘Beastie Boys’ Sounds of Science (transcript of song) in www.lyricsfreak.com (O.E.D. Archive) Now here we go dropping science..Expanding the horizons.
1990 ‘Paris’ Break Grip of Shame (song) in L. A. Stanley Rap: the Lyrics (1992) 245 Paris is my name, I don't sleep I drop science and keep the peace.
1994 Straight No Chaser Summer 6 The Silent Poets—fresh from recording with Menelik in Paris—slipped into South London to drop science with the Mad Professor.
1999 Village Voice Lit. Suppl. Apr.–May 84/1 Stylish, confident, and capable of dropping science on everything from the roots of rap to the vagaries of child-support legislation.
b. To sing or perform (rap lyrics or rap music).
ΚΠ
1988 Los Angeles Times 10 Oct. vi. 5/4 The Fresh Prince gave himself and Jazzy Jeff a last-gasp pep talk before performing their current hit... ‘If we drop this record (i.e., play this song) and the crowd don't go wild, I think we pretty much had it, pally wally.’
1989 ‘Big Daddy Kane’ Another Victory (song) in L. A. Stanley Rap: the Lyrics (1992) 16 They don't drop rhymes like these.
1996 ‘Freak Nasty’ Da' Dip (song) in Hip-hop & Rap (2003) 68 Droppin' bass like a bad habit.
2002 Billboard 4 May 21/4 Cee-Lo proves that despite his many musical influences he can still drop lyrical jewels on a good old-fashioned breakbeat.
c. To release (a musical recording, etc.). Also intransitive: (of a musical recording, etc.) to be released.
ΚΠ
1988 Spin May 44/3 I think that I should be able to drop records when I want.
1988 Spin May 45/1 Maybe after my album drops and I'm back on the road doing what I'm supposed to do in this world, I'll be happy.
1993 B. Cross It's not about Salary 246 They dropped the video.
2003 Us Weekly 7–14 July 36 Due out August 19 (the same day runner-up Clay Aiken's record is expected to drop), Studdard's CD will include ‘R&B, pop, club tunes, and a gospel song’.
d. Esp. of a disc jockey: to play (recorded music), typically on a turntable.
ΚΠ
1992 Times 28 Nov. (Sat. Review) 35/1 His portable tape recorder ‘drops’ his favourite tunes.
1995 Mixmag May 34/2 Suddenly the DJ drops ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’ by Dusty Springfield.
2003 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 26 Oct. ii. 25/2 If you heard a D.J. drop Nancy Sinatra's version of the Sonny and Cher corpse ‘Bang-Bang’..you'd run over and beg for the D.J.'s card.
Draft additions December 2020
to drop (a person's) name: to mention the name of a famous or prominent person casually, in order to impress others. to drop names: to indulge in name-dropping, esp. habitually.Cf. name-drop v., name-dropping n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > name-dropping > name-drop [verb (intransitive)]
name-drop1945
to drop (a person's) name1947
1947 Winona (Minnesota) Republican-Herald 25 Jan. 7/2 Many people..make the mistake of dropping names like Bing Crosby or Tom Breneman, which are far too heavy for the average beginner.
1955 J. D. Salinger in New Yorker 29 Jan. 30/3 There's an unwritten law that people in a certain social or financial bracket can name-drop as much as they like just as long as they say something terribly disparaging about the person as soon as they've dropped his name.
2016 Daily Tel. 12 May 24/1 After arriving in town, Bobby seeks out employment from his uncle Phil.., a bulldoggy agent who doesn't so much drop names as scatter them like confetti.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
> see also
also refers to : drop-comb. form
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n.c825v.c1000see also
- flash-bang device
- flash-bang grenade
- flash-bang grenades
- flash-bangs
- flash-board
- flash-bulb
- flash-butt welding
- flash-case
- flash-colouring
- flash-cove
- flash-crib
- flash-dry
- flash-drying
- flash-flood
- flash-flown
- flash-flue
- flash-freeze
- flash-fried
- flash-frozen
- flash-fry
- flash-frying
- flash-gun
- flash-hot
- flash-house
- flash-ken