1. To distill; to fall in small portions, globules or drops, as a liquid. Water drops from the clouds or from the eaves.

2. To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.

The heavens dropped at the presence of God. Psalm 68:8.

3. To fall; to descend suddenly or abruptly.

4. To fall spontaneously; as, ripe fruit drops from a tree.

5. To die, or to die suddenly. We see one friend after another dropping round us. They drop into the grave.

6. To come to an end; to cease; to be neglected and come to nothing; as, the affair dropped.

7. To come unexpectedly; with in or into; as, my old friend dropped in, a moment.

8. To fall short of a mark. [Not usual.]

Often it drops or overshoots.

9. To fall lower; as, the point of the spear dropped a little.

10. To be deep in extent.

Her main top-sail drops seventeen yards.

To drop astern, in seamens language, is to pass or move towards the stern; to move back; or to slacken the velocity of a vessel to let another pass beyond her.

To drop down, in seamens language, is to sail, row or move down a river, or toward the sea.