drizzle

Definition

To rain lightly.

Etymology

Perhaps a back-formation from dryseling, a dissimilated variant of Middle English drysning (“a falling of dew”), from Old English drysnan (“to extinguish”), related to Old English drēosan (“to fall, to decline”), making it cognate to modern English droze and drowse. Compare also dialectal Swedish drösla.

Example Sentences

• "We had planned a picnic for Joe's birthday, but it ended up drizzling all day."
• "And from mine eyes the drizling teares descend, As on your boughes the ysicles depend."
• "When the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dew; But for the sunset of my brother’s son It rains downright."