I. ˈdēp adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English deep, dep, from Old English dēop; akin to Old High German tiof deep, Old Norse djūpr, Gothic diups deep, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip
1. : extending far or comparatively far from some level, edge, surface, or area: as
a. : extending downward to a considerable degree
a deep well
deep valleys between the ranges
b. : extending well inward from a surface accepted as outer
a deep gash in the side of the mountain
often : not located superficially within the body
deep pressure receptors in muscles and tendons
c. : extending well back from a surface accepted as front
a deep recess behind the organ
fine deep closets in every room
d. : extending far laterally from something expressed or implied that is regarded as central : wide and peripheral
a deep shrubbery about the house
deep borders of ecru lace
e. sports : occurring relatively far from the center of activity : located near the outer limits of the playing area
a hit to deep right field
the safety man took a deep position
2. : having a specified extension in an implied direction usually downward or toward the back — used postpositively
a canyon a mile deep
a shelf 20 inches deep
or in combination
cars parked three- deep
knee- deep snow
3. : marked by complexity, intensity, or a high degree of development of pertinent qualities: as
a. : difficult to penetrate or comprehend : recondite
a deep problem
the deeper questions of the day
often : mysterious , obscure , devious
a deep dark secret
deep and deadly plots against civilization
b. : grave in nature or effect : grievous , serious
a deep wrong
in deepest disgrace
c. : of penetrating intellect : wise , sagacious
a deep thinker
deep clerks she dumbs — Shakespeare
often : cunning , sly , crafty
ah, but he's a deep one
they're too deep for me
d. : preoccupied with : engrossed , absorbed , involved , entangled — used postpositively and followed by an explanatory in phrase
a man deep in debt
deep in her book
e. : completely developed
deep winter
: unmixed , unalloyed , extreme
deep grief
deep darkness
: heavy
deep sleep
f. : characterized by close absorption or complete engagement
deep study
deep thought
g. : involving heavy liability or great self-indulgence : carried to excess — archaic except of drinking
unable to resist the deep drinking of his comrades
h. of color : high in saturation and low in lightness : vivid and dark
fuchsia is a much deeper color than pink
i. of tone : not high or sharp : rich, full, and heavy
the bass of heaven's deep organ — John Milton
specifically : having a low musical pitch or pitch range — used especially of the human voice
a voice deep and strong
4.
a. : situated well within the boundaries of
a lodge deep in the forest
often : remote in time or space : hidden away : secluded — used postpositively and followed by in
deep in the heart
found deep in rural England
b. : lying or being covered or protected by or as if by a deep layer of something — used postpositively
lanes deep in snow
a country deep in peace
c.
(1) archaic , of roads : covered with uncompacted soil : muddy , sandy , boggy
(2) of soils : having a thick covering layer of topsoil
deep sandy loams
d. : covered, enclosed, or filled to a specified degree — used postpositively, usually in combination, and with an orienting phrase
cows knee- deep in clover
a box rim- deep with junk
5.
a. : moving over or passing through a considerable distance downward
a deep dive
a deep drop from a cliff
b.
(1) : coming from, reaching to, or acting on something (as a part or place) that is far down, back, or within : deep-seated
a deep breath
a deep strong taproot
deep therapy
(2) : originating or taking place below the surface of the body
deep pain
deep reflexes
often : involving or operating on mental levels below the conscious
deep neuroses
6. now dialect England : advanced in time : late
Synonyms:
profound , abysmal : applied to physical things and situations deep is a simple antonym of shallow without especial connotation; applied to persons and to mental states, it may imply study, deliberation, penetration, subtlety, or craft
a deep thinker
deep scholarship
a careful editing after a deep study of the inner meaning of the work must be undertaken — Warwick Braithwaite
profound in its occasional use in reference to physical things is likely to indicate great depth, perhaps awe-inspiring
canyons more profound than our deepest mountain gorges — Willa Cather
and in its more common use in reference to persons and mental processes to imply through penetration into a resolution of weighty and complicated matters and evolving well thought out, just, and correct solutions
a profound philosophy
a profound search for truth
a profound lawyer, peculiarly fitted for that high judicial office — Marie B. Owen
the executive puts on a profound air, purses up his lips, looks at the ceiling with penetrating gaze, then trains his ponderous face on the subordinate — H.A.Overstreet
abysmal may describe things of infinite depth or mental conditions or processes showing infinite want, lack, demerit, or fault
abysmal ignorance
Schmaltz is arrogant and assertive; his abysmal ignorance is matched only by his conviction of his own influence — M.D.Geismar
not much happens to starlight in its long passage through the abysmal depths of interstellar space — P.W.Merrill
Synonym: see in addition broad .
•
- in deep water
II. adverb
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English depe, from Old English dēope; akin to Old High German tiufo deeply; derivative from the root of English deep (I)
1. : to a great depth : with depth : far down : profoundly , deeply
drink deep
cut deep
deep -set
deep -versed in books, and shallow in himself — John Milton
2. : far on (in time) : late
deep in the night
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English deep, depe, from Old English dēop deep water (from dēop, adjective, deep) & Old English dȳpe depth, sea; akin to Old High German tiufī depth, Gothic diupei; derivative from the root of English deep (I)
1.
a. now dialect England : measurable depth
b. : any of the fathom points on a sounding line that is not a mark : an unmarked estimated fathom measure — see sounding line illustration
2. : something that is deep:
a. : a vast or immeasurable extent : abyss
the deep of space
b. : the extent of surrounding space or time : firmament
the azure deep
: ocean
the briny deep
c. : the world of the dead
3. : the middle part : the most intense or characteristic part
deep of winter
the forest deeps
4. : a profound or not easily fathomed recess (as of thought or feeling)
thy judgments are a great deep — Ps 36:6 (Authorized Version)
5.
a. : one of the deep portions of any body of water ; specifically : a generally long and narrow area in the ocean where the depth exceeds 3000 fathoms
the Aldrich Deep in the south Pacific
b. : a deep channel in a strait or estuary
IV. adjective
1. : large
deep discounts
deep cuts in the budget
2. : having many good players
a football team deep enough to overcome injuries and still win
V. adverb
: near the outer limits of the normal position of play
the shortstop was playing deep