DEEP


Meaning of DEEP in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.