The spelling of the word "drops away" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /drɒps əˈweɪ/. The first part of the word, "drops," is spelled as it is pronounced - with the "o" sound pronounced like "ah" in "watch" and the "p" and "s" sounds clearly enunciated. The second part, "away," is pronounced with a schwa sound for the first syllable and a clear "w" sound for the second syllable. Overall, the word is spelled phonetically, making it easy to sound out and understand.
The term "drops away" is a phrasal verb used to describe the action of something descending or falling in a gradual or sudden manner. It can refer to physical objects, emotions, or quantities.
In relation to physical objects, "drops away" signifies the act of an item or body moving downward either smoothly or without abruptness. For example, a stone dropped from a height will "drop away" as it falls to the ground. Similarly, a piece of clothing that has been hanging on a hook may "drop away" when it is pulled off.
Regarding emotions, "drops away" describes a fading or diminishing feeling or sensation. It suggests that an emotion such as fear, anxiety, or stress slowly or abruptly lessens or disappears entirely. For instance, after confronting a fear, an individual may experience the fear "dropping away" as their bravery increases.
Finally, "drops away" can be used when referring to the reduction or decrease of a quantity or value. It implies that the quantity diminishes or becomes lower. For instance, a stock's value may "drop away" during a market decline or a person's savings may steadily "drop away" due to expenditure.
In summary, the multifaceted nature of "drops away" encompasses the physical act of descending, the diminishing or fading of emotions, and the decline or decrease of quantities or values.
The phrase "drops away" is not a single word, but a combination of two words: "drops" and "away". As such, each word has its own separate etymology.
1. Drops:
The word "drops" originates from the Middle English "droppen" which evolved from the Old English "droppian". This term is a verbal form of "drop", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *drupōną. It is also related to the Old Norse "drýpa" and Dutch "druppen".
2. Away:
The word "away", on the other hand, comes from the Old English "āweg" (often seen with variations like "onweg" or "onweges"). This term is an adverbial form of "away" and has Germanic origins, stemming from the Proto-Germanic *weg-.