deep

deep [dēp]

adj.

[ME dep < OE deop, akin to Ger tief, Goth diups < IE base * dheub-, deep, hollow > DIP, DUMP¹]

1. extending far downward from the top or top edges, inward from the surface, or backward from the front [a deep cut, a deep lake, a deep drawer]

2. extending down, inward, etc. a specified length or distance [water eight feet deep]

3.

a) located far down or back [deep in the outfield]

b) coming from or going far down or back [a deep breath]

4. far off in time or space [the deep past]

5. hard to understand; abstruse [a deep book]

6. extremely grave or serious [in deep trouble]

7. strongly felt [deep love]

8. intellectually profound [a deep discussion]

9.

a) tricky and sly; devious [deep dealings]

b) carefully guarded [a deep secret]

10. dark and rich [a deep red]

11. sunk in or absorbed by: with in [deep in thought]

12.

a) great in degree; intense [deep joy]

b) heavy and unbroken [a deep sleep]

13. much involved [deep in debt]

14. of low pitch or range [a deep voice]

15. large; big [deep cuts in the budget]

16. Sports having many good players in reserve [a team deep in pitching]

n.

[ME dep < OE deop]

1. a deep place or any of the deepest parts, as in water or earth

2. the extent of encompassing space or time, of the unknown, etc.

3. the middle part; part that is darkest, most silent, etc. [in the deep of night]

4. Naut. any of the unmarked fathom points between those marked on a lead line

adv.

[ME depe < OE deope]

in a deep way or to a deep extent; far down, far in, far back, etc. [to dig deep]

SYN.- BROAD

——————

go off the deep end Informal

1. to plunge rashly into an enterprise

2. to become angry or excited

——————

in deep water

in trouble or difficulty

——————

the deep

Old Poet. the sea or ocean

deeply

adv.

deepness

n.