dew

¹

[ doo, dyoo ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to wet with or as with dew.

DEW

²

[ doo, dyoo ]

1. distant early warning.

dew

/ 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

verb

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

dew

/ 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

Other Words From

• dewless adjective
• un·dewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dew¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dew¹

Old English dēaw; related to Old High German tou dew, Old Norse dögg

Example Sentences

When it reaches a certain temperature — known as the dew point — any excess moisture will condense out onto surfaces, such as leaves.

From Science News For Students

It was during a weekend, on a morning when the streets were still vacant and the dew was patterned and crisp across the neighborhood fences.

From MIT Technology Review

A station plot The basic station plot shows temperature, dew point, wind direction, wind speed, cloud cover, precipitation, and air pressure, which are all measured at weather stations around the globe.

From Outside Online

On those monstrous afternoons where the dew point is in the mid-70s, covering your airways while running really doesn’t enhance the experience—or it does, depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for.

From Outside Online

The Spire, like most fountains, has the basics -- Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Brisk Iced Tea and SoBe Lifewater.

From The Daily Beast

Cars in the cross alley are covered with a silver glaze of dew.

From The Daily Beast

If he gets rid of foam cups, where am I going to put my 32oz Mountain Dew?

From The Daily Beast

Mark Cuban Does the Diet Dew Would you trade a private island for a pop?

From The Daily Beast

But he did not impose a tax or penalty on those who drink Mountain Dew, and he would not, because the mere idea is preposterous.

From The Daily Beast

Mary is fair as the morning dew— Cheeks of roses and ribbons of blue!

From Project Gutenberg

A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.

From Project Gutenberg

The falling dew, and the howling wind raised him not from that bed of lonely despair.

From Project Gutenberg

I ain't a gwine ter back daown naow; but I dew jest wish Jeff Hyer wuz along.

From Project Gutenberg

Her beauty seemed fresh made; he thought of a wild rose washed by the dew and sparkling in the sunlight.

From Project Gutenberg