The spelling of the term "fell drops" is phonetically transcribed as /fɛl drɒps/. The first syllable "fell" is pronounced as "fɛl", with the "e" and "l" producing the schwa sound. The second syllable "drops" is pronounced as "drɒps", with the letter "o" producing an "ɒ" sound. The word "fell" refers to something that has descended quickly, while "drops" pertains to small spherical pieces of liquid that fall due to gravity. "Fell drops" are commonly used in describing rain, where a heavy downpour is expected.
"Fell drops" is a term that refers to a specific phenomenon involving the formation and falling of droplets from the sky. The term "fell" in this context is derived from the Old English word "feallan," which means to fall or drop.
These drops can be classified as either precipitation or dewdrops, depending on the conditions under which they form. In the case of precipitation, fell drops are synonymous with raindrops. They are formed when moisture in the atmosphere condenses around tiny particles, such as dust or ice crystals, which act as nuclei for the droplets to form. These droplets eventually grow in size through coalescence and gravitational pull until they become heavy enough to fall from the clouds and reach the ground as rain.
On the other hand, when fell drops are described as dewdrops, they form through a different process. Dewdrops occur during the nighttime when the temperature cools down and the air becomes saturated with moisture. As a result, water vapor in the air condenses and forms tiny droplets on surfaces such as grass, leaves, or exposed objects. These droplets are commonly observed in the early morning, and they contribute to the sensation of wetness or dampness on objects.
Overall, "fell drops" encompasses both raindrops and dewdrops, representing the moment when water vapor in the atmosphere transforms into visible water droplets that eventually fall or settle on various surfaces.
The term "fell drops" does not have a direct etymology, as it seems to be a combination of two separate words.
1. Fell: The word "fell" has Old English origins, derived from the Old Norse word "fjall", which means mountain or hill. It gradually evolved in Middle English to refer to a barren or desolate landscape, specifically a high, barren, or rocky hill. Over time, "fell" also came to be associated with harsh or fierce environments.
2. Drops: The word "drops" comes from Middle English and has Latin origins. It is derived from the Latin word "droppa", which means a small quantity of liquid. The term "drops" is a plural form of "drop", referring to small spherical quantities of liquid.
Combining these two words, "fell drops" could possibly be interpreted as "small quantities of liquid found in harsh or barren environments".