dew

[ doo, dyoo ]
/ du, dyu /

noun

moisture condensed from the atmosphere, especially at night, and deposited in the form of small drops upon any cool surface.
something like or compared to such drops of moisture, as in purity, delicacy, or refreshing quality.
moisture in small drops on a surface, as tears or perspiration.

verb (used with object)

to wet with or as with dew.

Origin of dew

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dew

dew·less, adjective un·dewed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dew

dew do due

Definition for dew (2 of 2)

DEW
[ doo, dyoo ]
/ du, dyu /

distant early warning.
Compare DEW line.

Example sentences from the Web for dew

British Dictionary definitions for dew

dew
/ (djuː) /

noun

  1. drops of water condensed on a cool surface, esp at night, from vapour in the air
  2. (in combination)dewdrop
something like or suggestive of this, esp in freshness the dew of youth
small drops of moisture, such as tears

verb

(tr) poetic to moisten with or as with dew

Word Origin for dew

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

Scientific definitions for dew

dew
[ dōō ]

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. See also frost.