rain-glass
Definition
Noun: A "rain-glass" is an archaic or historical term for a barometer, an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure and is used to predict changes in weather, particularly the likelihood of rain. The word combines "rain" (precipitation from clouds) and "glass" (referring to the glass tube or container used in the instrument).
Usage Examples
- (He examined his barometer to see if rain was coming.)
- (People used a barometer to predict weather.)
Advanced Usage
- "To consult the rain-glass": an idiomatic expression meaning to check a barometer for weather prediction.
- The farmer consulted his rain-glass every morning to decide whether to harvest the crops. (He used the barometer to plan his day.)
Variants and Related Words
- Rain gauge (n): a device for measuring the amount of rain that falls (not the same as a barometer).
- The meteorologist read the rain gauge after the storm. (This measures rainfall, not pressure.)
- Weather glass (n): another historical term for a barometer, often a simple glass container with water.
- The antique weather glass was displayed in the museum. (A type of barometer.)
Synonyms
- Barometer: the standard modern term for an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure.
- Weather glass: a synonym emphasizing the glass construction and weather-predicting function.
Related Idioms
- "Rain or shine": regardless of weather conditions (not directly related to the instrument but shares the word "rain").
- The event will happen rain or shine. (It will proceed in any weather.)
Notes on Usage
- "Rain-glass" is now considered obsolete or historical; modern English speakers use "barometer" instead. It appears mostly in historical texts, literature from the 17th–19th centuries, or in discussions of antique instruments.