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fallow1 definition

fal·low (fal′ō)

noun

  1. land plowed but not seeded for one or more growing seasons, to kill weeds, make the soil richer, etc.
  2. the plowing of land to be left idle in this way

Etymology: ME falow < OE fealh, akin to fealh, harrow, felly (of wheel) < IE base *pelk-, to turn > Gael olca, fallow land

adjective

  1. left uncultivated or unplanted
  2. untrained; inactive: said esp. of the mind

transitive verb

to leave (land) unplanted after plowing

Etymology: ME falwen < OE fealgian < fealh, fallow land; infl. by fealwian, to fade < fealo: see fallow

Related Forms:

fallow Idioms

lie fallow

to remain uncultivated, unused, unproductive, etc. for a time
fallow2 definition

fal·low (fal′ō)

adjective

pale-yellow; brownish-yellow

Etymology: ME falwe < OE fealo, akin to Ger fahl, fallow < Gmc *falwa < IE base *pel-, gray, pale > L pallidus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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