Main Entry:

depth

Pronunciation:

\ˈdepth\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural depths \ˈdepths, ˈdep(t)s\

Etymology:

Middle English, from dep deep

Date:

14th century

1 a (1): a deep place in a body of water <fish living at great depths> (2): a part that is far from the outside or surface <the depths of the woods> (3): abyss 2 b (1): a profound or intense state (as of thought or feeling) <the depths of misery> ; also : a reprehensibly low condition <hadn't realized that standards had fallen to such depths> (2): the middle of a time (as winter) (3): the worst part2 a: the perpendicular measurement downward from a surface b: the direct linear measurement from front to back3: the quality of being deep4: the degree of intensity <depth of a color> ; also : the quality of being profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge)5: the quality or state of being complete or thorough <a study will be made in depth>6: a large number of good players <a team that lacks depth>

— depth·less \ˈdepth-ləs\ adjective

— beyond one's depth or out of one's depth

: beyond the limits of one's capabilities <an actor who is clearly out of his depth in serious drama>