low

low

low¹ [lō]

adj.

[ME lah < ON lagr, akin to MDu lage, MLowG læge < IE base * legh-, LIE¹]

1.

a) of little height or elevation; not high or tall

b) not far above the ground [low clouds]

2. depressed below the surrounding surface or normal elevation [low land]

3. of little depth; shallow [the river is low]

4. of little quantity, degree, intensity, value, etc. [a low cost, low pressure, a low profile]

5. of less than normal height, elevation, depth, quantity, degree, power, etc.

6. below others in order, position, rating, etc. [low man on the team, low marks]

7. near the horizon [the sun was low]

8. near the equator [a low latitude]

9. cut so as to expose the neck or part of the shoulders, chest, or back; décolleté [a dress with a low neckline]

10.

a) Rare prostrate or dead

b) in hiding or obscurity [to stay low]

11. deep; profound [a low bow]

12. lacking energy; enfeebled; weak

13. depressed in spirits; melancholy

14. not of high rank; humble; plebeian [a man of low origin]

15. vulgar; coarse; debased; undignified

16. mean; despicable; contemptible [a low trick]

17. poor; slight; unfavorable [to have a low opinion of someone]

18. containing less than a normal amount of some usual element [low in calories, low-salt diet]

19. not advanced in evolution, development, complexity, etc.; inferior [a low form of plant life]

20. relatively recent [a manuscript of a low date ]

☆ 21. designating or of that gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission which produces the lowest speed and the greatest torque

22.

a) not well supplied with; short of: with on [low on ammunition]

b) Informal not having any or much money; short of ready cash

23. of little intensity; not loud: said of a sound

24. designating or producing tones made by relatively slow vibrations; deep in pitch

25. very informal and permissive in matters of ceremony, doctrine, etc.

26. Phonet. articulated with the tongue held relatively low in the mouth: said of certain vowels, as (ä) in far

adv.

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

n.

something low; specif.,

☆ a) 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

b) a low degree, level, place, position, etc.

☆ c) Meteorol. an area of low barometric pressure

SYN.- BASE²

——————

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

lowness

n.

low² [lō]

vi.

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

to make the characteristic vocal sound of a cow; moo

vt.

to express by lowing

n.

the characteristic sound of a cow

low³ [lō]

n., vi.

[ME loghe < ON logi, akin to MHG lohe, flame: for IE base see LIGHT¹] [Scot. or North Eng.] flame or blaze