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fallow

adjective (1)
fal·low | \ ˈfa-(ˌ)lō \

Definition of fallow 

(Entry 1 of 4)

: of a light yellowish-brown color a fallow greyhound

fallow

noun

Definition of fallow (Entry 2 of 4)

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

fallow

verb
fallowed; fallowing; fallows

Definition of fallow (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

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

fallow

adjective (2)

Definition of fallow (Entry 4 of 4)

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

Other words from fallow

Adjective (2)

fallowness noun

First Known Use of fallow

Adjective (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for fallow

Adjective (1)

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

Noun

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

Verb

see fallow entry 2

Adjective (2)

see fallow entry 2

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Learn More about fallow

Dictionary Entries near fallow

fall out of love

fallout shelter

fall over

fallow

fallowchat

fallow deer

fallow period

Phrases Related to fallow

fallow period

lying fallow

Statistics for fallow

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Time Traveler for fallow

The first known use of fallow was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for fallow

fallow

adjective
fal·low | \ ˈfa-lō \

Kids Definition of fallow

: not tilled or planted fallow fields

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More from Merriam-Webster on fallow

See words that rhyme with fallow

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fallow

Spanish Central: Translation of fallow

Nglish: Translation of fallow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fallow for Arabic Speakers

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