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

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, Verb, and Adjective (2)

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

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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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fallow

Definition of fallow

Other Words from fallow

First Known Use of fallow

History and Etymology for fallow

Learn More about fallow

Dictionary Entries near fallow

Statistics for fallow

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