low
low (lō)
adjective
- of little height or elevation; not high or tall
- not far above the ground low clouds
- depressed below the surrounding surface or normal elevation low land
- of little depth; shallow the river is low
- of little quantity, degree, intensity, value, etc. a low cost, low pressure, a low profile
- of less than normal height, elevation, depth, quantity, degree, power, etc.
- below others in order, position, rating, etc. low man on the team, low marks
- near the horizon the sun was low
- near the equator a low latitude
- cut so as to expose the neck or part of the shoulders, chest, or back; décolleté a dress with a low neckline
- Rare prostrate or dead
- in hiding or obscurity to stay low
- deep; profound a low bow
- lacking energy; enfeebled; weak
- depressed in spirits; melancholy
- not of high rank; humble; plebeian a man of low origin
- vulgar; coarse; debased; undignified
- mean; despicable; contemptible a low trick
- poor; slight; unfavorable to have a low opinion of someone
- containing less than a normal amount of some usual element low in calories, low-salt diet
- not advanced in evolution, development, complexity, etc.; inferior a low form of plant life
- relatively recent a manuscript of a low date
- ☆ designating or of that gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission which produces the lowest speed and the greatest torque
- not well supplied with; short of: with on low on ammunition
- Informal not having any or much money; short of ready cash
- of little intensity; not loud: said of a sound
- designating or producing tones made by relatively slow vibrations; deep in pitch
- very informal and permissive in matters of ceremony, doctrine, etc.
- 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
- in, at, to, or toward a low degree, level, place, position, etc. hit them low
- in a low manner
- quietly; softly speak low
- with a deep pitch
noun
- ☆ 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
- a low degree, level, place, position, etc.
- ☆ Meteorol. an area of low barometric pressure
Related Forms:
- lowness low′·ness noun
lay low
- to cause to fall by hitting
- to overcome or kill
lie low
- ☆ to keep oneself hidden or inconspicuous
- ☆ to wait patiently for an opportunity
low (lō)
intransitive verb
Etymology: ME lowen < OE hlowan, akin to ON hloa, to roar < IE base *kel-, to cry > L clamor
transitive verb
noun
low (lō)
noun, intransitive verb
Etymology: ME loghe < ON logi, akin to MHG lohe, flame: for IE base see light
Low (lō)
- Low, Sir David 1891-1963; Brit. political cartoonist, born in New Zealand
- 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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