Drop, v. i.
1. To fall in drops.
The kindly dew drops from the higher tree,
And wets the little plants that lowly dwell. --Spenser.
2. To fall, in general, literally or figuratively; as, ripe fruit drops from a tree; wise words drop from the lips.
Mutilations of which the meaning has dropped out of memory. --H. Spencer.
When the sound of dropping nuts is heard. --Bryant.
3. To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.
The heavens . . . dropped at the presence of God. --Ps. lxviii. 8.
4. To fall dead, or to fall in death; as, dropping like flies.
Nothing, says Seneca, so soon reconciles us to the thoughts of our own death, as the prospect of one friend after another dropping round us. --Digby.
5. To come to an end; to cease; to pass out of mind; as, the affair dropped.
6. To come unexpectedly; -- with in or into; as, my old friend dropped in a moment.
Takes care to drop in when he thinks you are just seated. --Spectator.
7. To fall or be depressed; to lower; as, the point of the spear dropped a little.
8. To fall short of a mark. [R.]
Often it drops or overshoots by the disproportion of distance. --Collier.
9. To be deep in extent; to descend perpendicularly; as, her main topsail drops seventeen yards.
To drop astern Naut., to go astern of another vessel; to be left behind; to slacken the speed of a vessel so as to fall behind and to let another pass a head.
To drop down Naut., to sail, row, or move down a river, or toward the sea.
To drop off, to fall asleep gently; also, to die. [Colloq.]
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