I learned a word in grammar school that was defined as "the slanting quality of rain". The only problem is that I can only remember the definition and not the word. I live in a rainy climate, and would love to know this "word".

Any ideas?

Thanks, Chris

Hi! Haven’t found your word but found some interesting ones whilst trying!
How about:
slantindicularly, adv.
In a slanting or sloping direction or position; obliquely.
Hattock. (dialect.)
A shock of standing sheaves of corn, the tops of which are protected by two sheaves laid along them with their bottoms in contact in the centre, and their heads slanting downwards, so as to carry off rain.
sklent, n. Sc. Also sclent.
[Sc. var. of slent n. Cf. the earlier asklent adv.]
A slant or slope; a slanting or sideward movement.

I particularly like slantindicularly – maybe difficult to drop into conversation though??

b.c.

Good 'n, Cormicanshack,

Your reference to "sclent" reminded me that the natural angle of repose of a pile of granular substance is called the "swarf angle."

Hallyx

"Have you tried these things? You should.
These things are fun. And fun is good."
---Dr. Seuss

Wow! What a beautiful definition - 'the natural angle of repose of a granular substance' - so poetic. This snippet of information will allow me to smile to myself tomorrow, as I am sure that, 'not a lot of people know that!'. I wonder how long it will be now before it comes up in a crossword or a quiz? Do you find that new bits of knowledge are often called upon frequently after first learning? I particularly like this one because it connects my maths/science background with my love of words.

Thankyou! b.c.