fallow

¹fal·low

adjective \ˈfa-(ˌ)lō\

Definition of FALLOW

: of a light yellowish-brown color

Origin of FALLOW

Middle English falow, from Old English fealu; akin to Old High German falo pale, fallow, Latin pallēre to be pale, Greek polios gray

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

²fallow

noun

Definition of FALLOW

1

: usu. cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the growing season

2

obsolete : plowed land

3

: the state or period of being fallow

4

: the tilling of land without sowing it for a season

Origin of FALLOW

Middle English falwe, falow, from Old English fealg — more at felly

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with FALLOW

sallow, shallow, tallow

³fallow

transitive verb

Definition of FALLOW

: to plow, harrow, and break up (land) without seeding to destroy weeds and conserve soil moisture

First Known Use of FALLOW

15th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

⁴fallow

adjective

Definition of FALLOW

1

: left untilled or unsown after plowing

2

: dormant, inactive —used especially in the phrase to lie fallow <at this very moment there are probably important inventions lying fallow — Harper's>

— fal·low·ness noun

First Known Use of FALLOW

15th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall