Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEW, n. [Sax. deaw; D. dauw; G. thau; Sw. dagg; Dan. dugg. See Class Dg, No. 24, 60, 62, 63. It is probably from the same primary root as thaw; G. thau, dew, thauen, to thaw.]

The water or moisture collected or deposited on or near the surface of the earth, during the night, by the escape of the heat which held the water in solution.