rain out
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rain
(rān)n.
1.
a. Water condensed from atmospheric vapor and falling in drops.
b. A fall of such water; a rainstorm.
c. The descent of such water.
d. Rainy weather.
e. rains A rainy season.
2. A heavy or abundant fall: a rain of fluffy cottonwood seeds; a rain of insults.
v. rained, rain·ing, rains
v.intr.
1. To fall in drops of water from the clouds.
2. To fall like rain: Praise rained down on the composer.
3. To release rain.
v.tr.
Phrasal Verb: 1. To send or pour down.
2. To give abundantly; shower: rain gifts; rain curses upon their heads.
rain out
Idiom: To force the cancellation or postponement of (an outdoor event) because of rain. Used in passive constructions: The ball game was rained out.
rain cats and dogs Informal
To rain very heavily.
[Middle English, from Old English regn, rēn.]
rain′less adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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| Verb | 1. | rain out - prevent or interrupt due to rain; "The storm had washed out the game" |
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