low

¹low

intransitive verb \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

: moo

Origin of LOW

Middle English loowen, from Old English hlōwan; akin to Old High German hluoen to moo, Latin calare to call, summon, Greek kalein

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with LOW

beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo

²low

noun

Definition of LOW

: the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow

First Known Use of LOW

1549

³low

adjective

low·er \ˈlō-ər\ low·est \ˈlō-əst\

Definition of LOW

1

a : having a small upward extension or elevation <a low wall>

b : situated or passing little above a reference line, point, or plane <low bridges>

c (1) : having a low-cut neckline (2) : not extending as high as the ankle <low oxfords>

2

a : situated or passing below the normal level, surface, or base of measurement, or the mean elevation <low ground>

b : marking a nadir or bottom <the low point of his career>

3

: dead —used as a predicate adjective with lay <laid the enemy low>

4

a : not loud : soft

b : flat 8a

c : characterized by being toward the bottom of the range of pitch attainable (as by an instrument)

5

a : being near the equator <low northern latitudes>

b : being near the horizon

6

: socially or economically humble in character or status <a person of low birth>

7

a : lacking strength, health, or vitality : weak, prostrate <very low with pneumonia>

b : lacking spirit or vivacity : depressed <a low frame of mind>

8

a : of lesser degree, size, or amount than average or ordinary <low energy>

b (1) : small in number or amount (2) : substandard, inadequate <a low level of employment> <a low income group> (3) : cheap <low prices> (4) : short, depleted <oil is in low supply>

c : of lesser position, rank, or order

9

: falling short of some standard: as

a : lacking dignity or elevation <a low style of writing>

b : morally reprehensible : base <a low trick>

c : coarse, vulgar <low language>

10

a : not advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration <low organisms>

b often capitalized : low church

11

: unfavorable, disparaging <had a low opinion of him>

12

: designed for slow and usually the slowest speed <low gear>

13

: articulated with a wide opening between the relatively flat tongue and the palate : open <\ä\ is a low vowel>

14

: intended to attract little attention <kept a low profile>

15

: being near the basket or net <a player in the low post>

— low adverb

— low·ness noun

Examples of LOW

1. The apartment has low ceilings.
2. They have a home in the low country.
3. The houses are built on low ground.
4. temperatures as low as 10 below zero
5. He's being treated for low blood pressure.
6. a low dose of medicine
7. She earns a low salary.
8. Demand for his books has remained low.
9. Temperatures were in the low eighties.
10. Our supply of fuel is getting low.

Origin of LOW

Middle English lah, low, from Old Norse lāgr; akin to Middle High German læge low, flat; probably akin to Old English licgan to lie

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to LOW

Synonyms

equatorial, tropical

Antonyms

polar

Related Words

semitropical (also semitropic), subtropical (also subtropic)

Near Antonyms

temperate

See Synonym Discussion at base

⁴low

noun

Definition of LOW

1

: something that is low: as

a : depth <a new low in advertising>

b : a region of low barometric pressure

2

: the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed

First Known Use of LOW

12th century

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

⁵low

noun \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

chiefly Scottish

: flame, blaze

Variants of LOW

low or lowe \ˈlō\

Origin of LOW

Middle English, from Old Norse logi, log; akin to Old English lēoht light — more at light

First Known Use: 13th century

⁶low

verb

lowedlow·ing

Definition of LOW

Scottish

: flame, blaze

Variants of LOW

low or lowe

First Known Use of LOW

14th century

Low

biographical name \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

Sir David Alexander Cecil 1891–1963 British cartoonist

low

adjective \ˈlō\   (Medical Dictionary)

low·er \ˈlō(-ə)r\ (audio pronunciation); low·est \ˈlō-əst\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of LOW

: having a relatively less complex organization : not greatly differentiated or developed phylogenetically—usually used in the comparative degree of less advanced types of plants and animals <the lower vertebrates>; compare high 1