I. ˈhī adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hēah; akin to Old High German hōh high, Lithuanian kaukaras hill
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : having large extension upward : taller than average, usual, or expected
a high wall
b. : having a specified elevation : tall
six feet high
— often used in combinations
sky- high
waist- high
c. : situated or passing above the normal level, surface, base of measurement, or elevation
the high desert
2.
a.
(1) : advanced toward the acme or culmination
high summer
(2) : advanced toward the most active or culminating period
on the Riviera during high season
(3) : constituting the late, most fully developed, or most creative stage or period
high Gothic
(4) : advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration
the high er primates including humans
high er mathematics
b. : verging on lateness — usually used in the phrase high time
c. : long past : remote
high antiquity
3. : elevated in pitch
a high note
4. : relatively far from the equator
high latitude
5. : rich in quality : luxurious
high living
6. : slightly tainted
high game
also : malodorous
smelled rather high
7. : exalted in character : noble
high purposes
8. : of greater degree, amount, cost, value, or content than average, usual, or expected
high prices
9. : of relatively great importance: as
a. : foremost in rank, dignity, or standing
high officials
b. : serious , grave
high crimes
c. : observed with the utmost solemnity
high religious observances
d. : critical , climactic
the high point of the novel
e. : intellectually or artistically of the first order
high culture
f. : marked by sublime, heroic, or stirring events or subject matter
high tragedy
high adventure
10. : forcible , strong
high winds
11. : stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony ; specifically : High Church
12.
a. : filled with or expressing great joy or excitement
high spirits
b. : intoxicated ; also : excited or stupefied by or as if by a drug
13. : articulated with some part of the tongue close to the palate
a high vowel
•
- high on
Synonyms:
high , tall , lofty mean above the average in height. high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level
a high hill
a high ceiling
tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness
a tall thin man
lofty suggests great or imposing altitude
lofty mountain peaks
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : at or to a high place, altitude, level, or degree
climbed high er
passions ran high
2. : well , luxuriously — often used in the phrases high off the hog and high on the hog
III. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : an elevated place or region: as
a. : hill , knoll
b. : the space overhead : sky — usually used with on
c. : heaven — usually used with on
2. : a region of high barometric pressure — called also anticyclone
3.
a. : a high point or level : height
sales reached a new high
b. : the transmission gear of a vehicle (as an automobile) giving the highest speed of travel
4.
a. : an excited, euphoric, or stupefied state produced by or as if by a drug
b. : a state of elation or high spirits