I. ˈfu̇l also ˈfəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fol full, Latin plenus full, plēre to fill, Greek plērēs full, plēthein to be full
Date: before 12th century
1. : containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
a bin full of corn
2.
a. : complete especially in detail, number, or duration
a full report
gone a full hour
my full share
b. : lacking restraint, check, or qualification
full retreat
full support
c. : having all distinguishing characteristics : enjoying all authorized rights and privileges
full member
full professor
d. : not lacking in any essential : perfect
in full control of your senses
e.
(1) : completely occupied by runners
came to bat with the bases full
(2) : having three balls and two strikes
a full count
3.
a. : being at the highest or greatest degree : maximum
full speed
full strength
b. : being at the height of development
full bloom
c. : being a full moon : completely illuminated
the moon is full tonight
4. : rounded in outline
a full figure
5.
a. : possessing or containing a great number or amount — used with of
a room full of pictures
full of hope
b. : having an abundance of material especially in the form of gathered, pleated, or flared parts
a full skirt
c. : rich in experience
a full life
6.
a. : satisfied especially with food or drink
b. : large enough to satisfy
a full meal
7. archaic : completely weary
8. : having both parents in common
full sisters
9. : having volume or depth of sound
full tones
10. : completely occupied especially with a thought or plan
full of his own concerns
11. : possessing a rich or pronounced quality
a food of full flavor
•
- full of it
Synonyms:
full , complete , plenary , replete mean containing all that is wanted or needed or possible. full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it
a full schedule
complete applies when all that is needed is present
a complete picture of the situation
plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification
given plenary power
replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety
replete with delightful details
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : very , extremely
knew full well they had lied to me
b. : entirely
swung full around — Morley Callaghan
2. : straight , squarely
got hit full in the face
3. — used as an intensive
wound up winning by a full four strokes — William Johnson
III. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : the highest or fullest state or degree
the full of the moon
2. : the utmost extent
enjoy to the full
•
- in full
IV. verb
Date: 1794
intransitive verb
of the moon : to become full
transitive verb
: to make full in sewing
V. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French fuller, fouler to full, trample underfoot, from Medieval Latin fullare, from Latin fullo fuller
Date: 14th century
: to shrink and thicken (woolen cloth) by moistening, heating, and pressing