dropping
UK: ˈdrɒpɪŋ | US: ˈdrɑːpɪŋ
n. 1. The act of falling or letting something fall.
n. 2. A small quantity of liquid that falls in a spherical shape.
n. 3. (Aviation) The delivery of supplies or personnel by parachute.
v. (present participle of drop) 1. Letting or causing something to fall.
The word dropping derives from the Old English droppian, meaning "to fall in drops," which is of Germanic origin. The root drop retains its core meaning of liquid descent, while the suffix -ing forms a noun (e.g., "a dropping") or a present participle (e.g., "is dropping"). The term evolved to include metaphorical and specialized uses, such as aerial supply deliveries.
The dropping of leaves signaled the arrival of autumn.
A single dropping of ink stained the paper.
The military conducted a supply dropping mission.
She avoided dropping the fragile vase.
The bird’s droppings left marks on the car windshield.