fallow

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adjective fal·low \ˈfa-(ˌ)lō\

Definition 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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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noun fal·low

1 : usually cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the growing season
2 obsolete : plowed land
3 : the state or period of being fallow Summer fallow is effective for destroying weeds.
4 : the tilling of land without sowing it for a season

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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verb fal·low

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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adjective fal·low

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