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fine spray

fine spray

1 3.1
Tiny drops of liquid that float in the air
  • noun
translation icon : neblina
  • The crystal waters shimmered in a fine spray as they were splashed by the grotesque feet, and then flowed into the muddy depressions left by the Elf-Eater's passage.
  • fine spray of water
  • fine spray from a hose
  • fine spray of blood

Examples

  • Jan winced as a shift of wind sent a fine spray over them.

  • They were running in and out of a fine spray of mist, for all the world like children squealing and frolicking in the spray of a hose or water sprinkler.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • As they drove by a large white colonial, the automatic lawn sprinklers came on in a rush, the cool, fine spray floating through the open window.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • He squeezes the trigger gently, sending a fine spray from the nozzle.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • A fine spray of blood had spattered the high cheekbones, and drying droplets matted his hair on one side.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • They were sheltered by an overhang from the rain itself, but a fine spray hit them as they approached the balustrade.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The blowhole opens and WHOOSH, out shoots a geyser of fine spray which settles on Chuck in a mist.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Snatching her mate out of her own home could be upsetting if this place could be thought of as home, he amended as he stepped quickly aside to avoid a fine spray of water that sprang up out of the moss-covered floor.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The wind was warm that night, sending up a fine spray from the lake.

  • A fine spray of liquid clung to the hem of his coat.

Synonyms

spray
vsfine spray
48 1.8

A fine cloud of small drops or particles in the air

is much finer in droplet size and forms a light mist instead of a burst
aerosol
vsfine spray
  • Specialized
11 4.7

A mixture of tiny liquid drops or solid particles floating in air

refers specifically to tiny liquid droplets forming a light mist rather than solids

Antonyms

A lot of rain or snow that falls in a short time

How Fine

aerosol
  • Specialized
11 4.7
mist
115 1.0
fine spray
1 3.1
spray
48 1.8

Surface Forms

fine spray singular
fine sprays plural

Morphology

fine + spray

The meaning 'very small droplets' is directly derivable from combining 'fine' (small, thin) with 'spray' (a burst of droplets). This is a regular adjective + noun composition found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Fine spray paints a simple picture: fine means very small and spray means liquid thrown into the air, like from a perfume bottle. That's why the phrase means 'a light mist' of tiny drops that hang in the air.