fallow
fallow1 definition
fal·low (fal′ō)
noun
- land plowed but not seeded for one or more growing seasons, to kill weeds, make the soil richer, etc.
- 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
- left uncultivated or unplanted
- 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:
- fallowness fal′·low·ness noun
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
Browse dictionary definitions near fallow
Also Mentioned In