- low
-
I. intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English loowen, from Old English hlōwan; akin to Old High German hluoen to moo, Latin calare to call, summon, Greek kalein
Date: before 12th century
moo
II. noun
Date: 1549
the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow
III. adjective
(lower; lowest)
Etymology: Middle English lah, low, from Old Norse lāgr; akin to Middle High German læge low, flat; probably akin to Old English licgan to lie
Date: 12th century
1.
a. having a small upward extension or elevation <a low wall> b. situated or passing little above a reference line, point, or plane <low bridges> c. (1) having a low-cut neckline (2) not extending as high as the ankle <low oxfords> 2. a. situated or passing below the normal level, surface, or base of measurement, or the mean elevation <low ground> b. marking a nadir or bottom <the low point of his career> 3. dead — used as a predicate adjective with lay <laid the enemy low> 4. a. not loud ; soft b. flat 8a c. characterized by being toward the bottom of the range of pitch attainable (as by an instrument) 5. a. being near the equator <low northern latitudes> b. being near the horizon 6. socially or economically humble in character or status <a person of low birth> 7. a. lacking strength, health, or vitality ; weak, prostrate <very low with pneumonia> b. lacking spirit or vivacity ; depressed <a low frame of mind> 8. a. of lesser degree, size, or amount than average or ordinary <low energy> b. (1) small in number or amount (2) substandard, inadequate <a low level of employment> <a low income group> (3) cheap <low prices> (4) short, depleted <oil is in low supply> c. of lesser position, rank, or order 9. falling short of some standard: as a. lacking dignity or elevation <a low style of writing> b. morally reprehensible ; base <a low trick> c. coarse, vulgar <low language> 10. a. not advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration <low organisms> b. often capitalized Low Church 11. unfavorable, disparaging <had a low opinion of him> 12. designed for slow and usually the slowest speed <low gear> 13. articulated with a wide opening between the relatively flat tongue and the palate ; open <\ä\ is a low vowel> 14. intended to attract little attention <kept a low profile> 15. being near the basket or net <a player in the low post> Synonyms: see base • low adverb • lowness noun IV. noun Date: 12th century 1. something that is low: as a. depth <a new low in advertising> b. a region of low barometric pressure 2. the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed V. noun or lowe Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse logi, log; akin to Old English lēoht light — more at light Date: 13th century chiefly Scottish flame, blaze VI. verb or lowe (lowed; lowing) Date: 14th century Scottish flame, blaze
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
