adj. & adv.
adj. 1 of more than average height. 2 of a specified height (looks about six feet tall). 3 higher than the surrounding objects (a tall building). 4 colloq. extravagant or excessive (a tall story; tall talk).
adv. as if tall; proudly; in a tall or extravagant way (sit tall). tall drink a drink served in a tall glass. tall hat = top hat (see TOP(1)). tall order an exorbitant or unreasonable demand. tall ship a sailing ship with a high mast. tallish adj. tallness n.
[ ME, repr. OE getl swift, prompt ]