dew

¹ American  

[doo, dyoo] / du, dyu /

noun

1. moisture condensed from the atmosphere, especially at night, and deposited in the form of small drops upon any cool surface.

2. something like or compared to such drops of moisture, as in purity, delicacy, or refreshing quality.

3. moisture in small drops on a surface, as tears or perspiration.

4. Informal.

   1. Scotch whisky.

   2. mountain dew.

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verb (used with object)

1. to wet with or as with dew.

DEW ² American  

[doo, dyoo] / du, dyu /

1. distant early warning.

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dew British  

/ djuː /

noun

1. 1. drops of water condensed on a cool surface, esp at night, from vapour in the air

   2. ( in combination )

      dewdrop

2. something like or suggestive of this, esp in freshness

   the dew of youth

3. small drops of moisture, such as tears

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verb

1. poetic  (tr) to moisten with or as with dew

dew Scientific  

/ do̅o̅ /

1. Water droplets condensed from the air, usually at night, onto cool surfaces near the ground. Dew forms when the temperature of the surfaces falls below the dew point of the surrounding air, usually due to radiational cooling.

2. See also frost

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Other Word Forms

• dewless adjective
• undewed adjective

Etymology

Origin of dew

before 900; Middle English; Old English dēaw; cognate with German Tau, Old Norse dǫgg

Example Sentences

As the priest remarks, “A human life is as frail and fleeting as the morning dew.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"The ball seems to fly here especially under the lights and the dew comes in so we always knew we had a chance," Smeed told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

From BBC

“Pulsing Lifters,” in an arrangement for two pianos and harpsichord, is like a delicate dew.

From Los Angeles Times

The reduced staffing could make it more difficult to gather and process the data coming in from across the country — on temperature, wind speed, and dew points, among other things.

From Salon

In recent days, England players have suggested the dew had a significant impact on that match, making conditions easier for batting during Australia's chase - with the advantage possibly worth as many as 60 runs.

From BBC