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Rain vs Sprinkle - What's the difference?

rain | sprinkle |

In intransitive terms the difference between rain and sprinkle

is that rain is to fall in large quantities while sprinkle is to drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.

In transitive terms the difference between rain and sprinkle

is that rain is to issue (something) in large quantities while sprinkle is to baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.

As nouns the difference between rain and sprinkle

is that rain is condensed water falling from a cloud while sprinkle is a light covering with a sprinkled substance.

As verbs the difference between rain and sprinkle

is that rain is to have rain fall from the sky while sprinkle is to cause (a substance) to fall in fine drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance).

rain

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Condensed water falling from a cloud.
    • We've been having a lot of rain lately .
    The rains came late that year.
  • (figuratively) Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops.
  • (figuratively) An instance of particles or larger pieces of matter moving or falling through air.
    • A rain of mortar fire fell on our trenches.

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Usage notes

    * shower, downpour, drop are some of the words used to count rain.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    en verb)
  • (impersonal) To have rain fall from the sky.
    • It will rain today.
  • To fall as or like rain.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The rain it raineth every day.
    Tears rained from her eyes.
  • To fall in large quantities.
    • Bombs rained from the sky.
  • To issue (something) in large quantities.
    • The boxer rained punches on his opponent's head.

    Derived terms

    * Also see * it never rains but it pours * rain cats and dogs, rain dogs and cats * rain down * rain off

    See also

    * drizzle * hail * mizzle * precipitation * serein * shower * sleet * snow * storm *

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    sprinkle

    English

    Verb

    (sprinkl)
  • (lb) To cause (a substance) to fall in fine drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance).
  • :
  • *(Bible), (w) xiv. 16
  • *:And the priest shallsprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.
  • *
  • *:At twilight in the summeron the floor.
  • (lb) To cover (an object) by sprinkling a substance on to it.
  • :
  • *2005 , Justus Roux, Who's Your Daddy? , page 66:
  • *:Most of the passengers watched from the enclosed promenade deck, but Sandra found her way to the higher, open promenade where she shivered and watched the city lights fade and the stars sprinkle themselves across a dark blue velvet sky.
  • (lb) To drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.
  • :
  • (lb) To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.
  • *(Bible), (w) x. 22
  • *:having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience

    • Quotations

    * 1893 , Edward F. Bigelow (editor and publisher), The Observer: a Medium of Interchange of Observations for all Students and Lovers of Nature , volume IV, number 4, page 114: *: There is no more beautiful object in the still and shady aisles of the wood than a great patch of the deep green hairy cap moss studded and starred by these little roses that are often scattered over it as thickly as the stars sprinkle the sky. * April 26th, 1899', ''Memorial Day Oration'' of General P. McGlashan, printed in '''1902 in ''Addresses delivered before the Confederate Veterans Association of Savannah by that association: *: As I laid him back on the litter he threw out his arms and clasped me around my neck, drew me towards him and kissed me, saying: "Colonel, I love you." [...] Unnumbered instances like this might be recounted did the time permit it. They sprinkle the whole four years as the stars sprinkle the sky. * 2010 , Donald E. MacKay, Love Is Stronger Than Death , page 91: *: [...] she will remember his words and gaze at the stars. One dark night when the stars sprinkle the heavens, she would call out to the stars and ask the same questions her benefactor had asked; perhaps she will be favored with answers.

    Derived terms

    * sprinkler

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A light covering with a sprinkled substance.
    • He decorated the Christmas card with a sprinkle of glitter.
  • A light rain shower.

    • Synonyms

    * (light covering with a sprinkled substance) sprinkling

    Derived terms

    * sugar sprinkles