I. ˈlō intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English loowen, from Old English hlōwan; akin to Old High German hluoen to moo, Latin calare to call, summon, Greek kalein
Date: before 12th century
: moo
II. noun
Date: 1549
: the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow
III. adjective
( low·er ˈlō-ər ; low·est ˈlō-əst)
Etymology: Middle English lah, low, from Old Norse lāgr; akin to Middle High German læge low, flat; probably akin to Old English licgan to lie
Date: 12th century
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
Synonyms: see base
• low adverb
• low·ness noun
IV. noun
Date: 12th century
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
V. noun
or lowe ˈlō
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse logi, log; akin to Old English lēoht light — more at light
Date: 13th century
chiefly Scottish : flame , blaze
VI. verb
or lowe
( lowed ; low·ing )
Date: 14th century
Scottish : flame , blaze