Main Entry: ¹dry

Pronunciation: \ˈdrī\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): dri·er also dry·er \ˈdrī(-ə)r\; dri·est also dry·est \ˈdrī-əst\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English drȳge; akin to Old High German truckan dry, Old English drēahnian to drain

Date: before 12th century

1 a : free or relatively free from a liquid and especially water b : not being in or under water c : lacking precipitation or humidity
2 a : characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid <a dry well> b : devoid of running water <a dry ravine> c : devoid of natural moisture <my throat was dry> d : no longer sticky or damp e : not giving milk <a dry cow> f : lacking freshness : stale g : anhydrous
3 a : marked by the absence or scantiness of secretions <a dry cough> b : not shedding or accompanied by tears <a dry sob>
4 obsolete : involving no bloodshed or drowning <I would fain die a dry death — Shakespeare>
5 a : marked by the absence of alcoholic beverages <a dry party> b : prohibiting the manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages <a dry county>
6 : served or eaten without butter or margarine <dry toast>
7 a : lacking sweetness : sec <dry champagne> b : having all or most sugar fermented to alcohol <a dry wine> <dry beer>
8 a : solid as opposed to liquid <dry groceries> b : reduced to powder or flakes : dehydrated <dry milk>
9 : functioning without lubrication <a dry clutch>
10 of natural gas : containing no recoverable hydrocarbon (as gasoline)
11 : requiring no liquid in preparation or operation <a dry photocopying process>
12 a : not showing or communicating warmth, enthusiasm, or tender feeling : severe <a dry style of painting> b : wearisome, uninteresting <dry passages of description> c : lacking embellishment : plain
13 a : not yielding what is expected or desired : unproductive <a writer going through a dry spell> b : having no personal bias or emotional concern <the dry light of reason> c : reserved, aloof
14 : marked by matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression <a dry wit>
15 : lacking smooth sound qualities <a dry rasping voice>
16 : being a dry run <a dry rehearsal>

— dry·ish \ˈdrī-ish\ adjective

— dri·ly or dry·ly adverb

— dry·ness noun