I. ˈdēp adjective
Etymology: Middle English dep, from Old English dēop; akin to Old High German tiof deep, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip
Date: before 12th century
1. : extending far from some surface or area: as
a. : extending far downward
a deep well
b.
(1) : extending well inward from an outer surface
a deep gash
a deep -chested animal
(2) : not located superficially within the body
deep pressure receptors in muscles
c. : extending well back from a surface accepted as front
a deep closet
d. : extending far laterally from the center
deep borders of lace
e. : occurring or located near the outer limits of the playing area
hit to deep right field
f. : thrown deep
a deep pass
2. : having a specified extension in an implied direction usually downward or backward
a shelf 20 inches deep
cars parked three- deep
3.
a. : difficult to penetrate or comprehend : recondite
deep mathematical problems
b. : mysterious , obscure
a deep dark secret
c. : grave in nature or effect
in deep est disgrace
d. : of penetrating intellect : wise
a deep thinker
e. : intensely engrossed or immersed
she was deep in her book
f. : characterized by profundity of feeling or quality
a deep sleep
also : deep-seated
deep religious beliefs
4.
a. of color : high in saturation and low in lightness
b. : having a low musical pitch or pitch range
a deep voice
5.
a. : situated well within the boundaries
a house deep in the woods
b. : remote in time or space
c. : being below the level of consciousness
deep neuroses
d. : covered, enclosed, or filled to a specified degree — usually used in combination
ankle- deep in mud
6. : large
deep discounts
7. : having many good players
a deep bull pen
Synonyms: see broad
• deep·ly adverb
• deep·ness noun
•
- in deep water
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : to a great depth : deeply
still waters run deep
2. : far on : late
danced deep into the night
3.
a. : near the outer limits of the playing area
the shortstop was playing deep
b. : long 6
III. noun
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a vast or immeasurable extent : abyss
b.
(1) : the extent of surrounding space or time
(2) : ocean
2. : any of the deep portions of a body of water ; specifically : a generally long and narrow area in the ocean where the depth exceeds 3000 fathoms (5500 meters)
3. : the middle or most intense part
the deep of winter
4. : any of the fathom points on a sounding line other than the marks