From the middle of May to about the middle of August the land of Palestine is dry. It is then the "drought of summer" (Genesis 31:40; Psalm 32:4), and the land suffers (Deuteronomy 28:23 Psalm 102:4), vegetation being preserved only by the dews (Haggai 1:11). (see DEW.)

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) Prolonged lack of rain or of water; especially, such dryness of the weather as affects the earth, and prevents the growth of plants; aridity.

2. (n.) Thirst; want of drink.

3. (n.) Scarcity; lack.