lower Hear it!

lower¹ Definition

lower (lō′ər)

adjective

  1. in a place or on a level below another lower lip
  2. inferior in rank, authority, or dignity the lower classes
  3. less in quantity, degree, value, intensity, etc.
  4. being farther south, closer to a shore or to the mouth of a river, or below land of higher elevation
  5. Archaeol., Geol. earlier: used of a division of a period Lower Devonian, Lower Paleolithic

Etymology: compar. of low

noun

  1. ☆ a lower berth, as in a Pullman car
  2. the lower teeth or dentures

transitive verb

  1. to let or put down lower the window
  2. to reduce in height, elevation, amount, value, etc. to lower prices
  3. to weaken or lessen to lower one's resistance
  4. to bring down in respect, dignity, etc.; demean to lower oneself by accepting a bribe
  5. to reduce (a sound) in volume or pitch

intransitive verb

to become lower; sink, fall, become reduced, etc.

lower² Definition

lower (lo̵u′ər)

intransitive verb

  1. to scowl or frown
  2. to appear dark and threatening

Etymology: ME louren, akin to lurk, Ger lauern, to lurk, MHG luren, to watch

noun

a frowning or threatening look

lower Synonyms

lower

v.

reduce, diminish, lessen, scale down, demote, de-escalate, push down, bring low, set down, let down, cast down, ground, depress; see also decrease 1, 2, drop 2.

lower Usage Examples

Object

  • cholesterol: Garlic Garlic in your pasta isn't going to hurt and is a proven way of lowering cholesterol.
  • threshold: The extension of deferred publication by lowering the average daily value thresholds would help to increase flexibility for firms.
  • immunity: The elderly often suffer from poor circulation and lowered immunity and Ginkgo works well on both counts.
  • pH: However, that wouldn't account for the slightly lowered pH.
  • pressure: They tend to lower the blood pressure, which can make people feel faint.
  • barrier: Potentially, the insurance sector could provide risk management mechanisms which will lower barriers to innovation.

Preposition: on

rope: The next day, rescuers lowered on ropes down a shaft succeeded in freeing 5 of the trapped men.

Preposition: into

  • grave: After the body had been lowered into the grave, the choir sang ' On the Resurrection Morning ' .
  • pit: TURNTABLE The second half is awaiting the completion of paintwork before being lowered into the pit.

Adjective complement

medicaid: Reform lowered medicaid our index of sibling health problems to people with.

Modifying Another Word

  • gently: The centreplate can then be gently lowered on to the ground.
  • significantly: Even at 15 min, Virkon S is still able to significantly lower the titer of the contaminating bacteria by at least 10 6.5.
  • dramatically: Without warning, the Ministry had dramatically lowered the fishing quota to such an extent that our fishermen were facing ruin.
  • artificially: Gazundering ( trying to artificially lower the price at a crucial stage in proceedings ) is a common practice.
  • slowly: Lift and lower slowly for 2 - 3 sets of 10 - 12 reps working for a full range.
  • thereby: Business information can be accessed using an Internet browser through a central resource, thereby lowering administration costs.

Followed by an intransitive particle

down: The ballast regulator is lowered down from the trailer - the rails of the siding are just visible beneath.

Followed by a transitive particle

down: Most of the papers are available online - check out the LINKS lower down this page.

Preposition: of

  • morale: Setting unrealistic expectations will only result in a lowering of morale.
  • barrier: The process is driven by new technologies and by the lowering of economic barriers between countries.