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low1 definition

low ()

adjective

    1. of little height or elevation; not high or tall
    2. not far above the ground low clouds
  1. depressed below the surrounding surface or normal elevation low land
  2. of little depth; shallow the river is low
  3. of little quantity, degree, intensity, value, etc. a low cost, low pressure, a low profile
  4. of less than normal height, elevation, depth, quantity, degree, power, etc.
  5. below others in order, position, rating, etc. low man on the team, low marks
  6. near the horizon the sun was low
  7. near the equator a low latitude
  8. cut so as to expose the neck or part of the shoulders, chest, or back; décolleté a dress with a low neckline
    1. Rare prostrate or dead
    2. in hiding or obscurity to stay low
  9. deep; profound a low bow
  10. lacking energy; enfeebled; weak
  11. depressed in spirits; melancholy
  12. not of high rank; humble; plebeian a man of low origin
  13. vulgar; coarse; debased; undignified
  14. mean; despicable; contemptible a low trick
  15. poor; slight; unfavorable to have a low opinion of someone
  16. containing less than a normal amount of some usual element low in calories, low-salt diet
  17. not advanced in evolution, development, complexity, etc.; inferior a low form of plant life
  18. relatively recent a manuscript of a low date
  19. ☆ designating or of that gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission which produces the lowest speed and the greatest torque
    1. not well supplied with; short of: with on low on ammunition
    2. Informal not having any or much money; short of ready cash
  20. of little intensity; not loud: said of a sound
  21. designating or producing tones made by relatively slow vibrations; deep in pitch
  22. very informal and permissive in matters of ceremony, doctrine, etc.
  23. Phonet. articulated with the tongue held relatively low in the mouth: said of certain vowels, as (ä) in far

Etymology: ME lah < ON lagr, akin to MDu lage, MLowG læge < IE base *legh-, lie

adverb

  1. in, at, to, or toward a low degree, level, place, position, etc. hit them low
  2. in a low manner
  3. quietly; softly speak low
  4. with a deep pitch

noun

something low; specif.,
  1. ☆ that gear of a motor vehicle, etc., producing the lowest speed and the greatest torque: also, an arrangement similar to this in an automatic transmission
  2. a low degree, level, place, position, etc.
  3. Meteorol. an area of low barometric pressure

Related Forms:

low Idioms

lay low

  1. to cause to fall by hitting
  2. to overcome or kill

lie low

  1. ☆ to keep oneself hidden or inconspicuous
  2. ☆ to wait patiently for an opportunity
low2 definition

low ()

intransitive verb

to make the characteristic vocal sound of a cow; moo

Etymology: ME lowen < OE hlowan, akin to ON hloa, to roar < IE base *kel-, to cry > L clamor

transitive verb

to express by lowing

noun

the characteristic sound of a cow
low3 definition

low ()

noun, intransitive verb

Scot., North Eng. flame or blaze

Etymology: ME loghe < ON logi, akin to MHG lohe, flame: for IE base see light

Low definition

Low ()

  1. Low, Sir David 1891-1963; Brit. political cartoonist, born in New Zealand
  2. Low, Juliette (born Juliette Gordon) 1860-1927; U.S. founder of the Girl Scouts

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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