deep

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English dep, from Old English dēop; akin to Old High German tiof deep, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip Date: before 12th century 1. extending far from some surface or area: as a. extending far downward <

a deep well

> b. (1) extending well inward from an outer surface <

a deep gash

> <

a deep-chested animal

> (2) not located superficially within the body <

deep pressure receptors in muscles

> c. extending well back from a surface accepted as front <

a deep closet

> d. extending far laterally from the center <

deep borders of lace

> e. occurring or located near the outer limits of the playing area <

hit to deep right field

> f. thrown deep <

a deep pass

> 2. having a specified extension in an implied direction usually downward or backward <

a shelf 20 inches deep

> <

cars parked three-deep

> 3. a. difficult to penetrate or comprehend ; recondite <

deep mathematical problems

> b. mysterious, obscure <

a deep dark secret

> c. grave in nature or effect <

in deepest disgrace

> d. of penetrating intellect ; wise <

a deep thinker

> e. intensely engrossed or immersed <

she was deep in her book

> f. characterized by profundity of feeling or quality <

a deep sleep

>; also deep-seated <

deep religious beliefs

> 4. a. of color high in saturation and low in lightness b. having a low musical pitch or pitch range <

a deep voice

> 5. a. situated well within the boundaries <

a house deep in the woods

> b. remote in time or space c. being below the level of consciousness <

deep neuroses

> d. covered, enclosed, or filled to a specified degree — usually used in combination <

ankle-deep in mud

> 6. large <

deep discounts

> 7. having many good players <

a deep bull pen

> Synonyms: see broad • deeply adverb • deepness noun II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. to a great depth ; deeply <

still waters run deep

> 2. far on ; late <

danced deep into the night

> 3. a. near the outer limits of the playing area <

the shortstop was playing deep

> b. long 6 III. noun Date: before 12th century 1. a. a vast or immeasurable extent ; abyss b. (1) the extent of surrounding space or time (2) ocean 2. any of the deep portions of a body of water; specifically a generally long and narrow area in the ocean where the depth exceeds 3000 fathoms (5500 meters) 3. the middle or most intense part <

the deep of winter

> 4. any of the fathom points on a sounding line other than the marks