tower 1
— towerless , adj. — towerlike , adj.
/tow"euhr/ , n.
1. a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building.
2. such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.
3. any of various fully enclosed fireproof housings for vertical communications, as staircases, between the stories of a building.
4. any structure, contrivance, or object that resembles or suggests a tower.
5. a tall, movable structure used in ancient and medieval warfare in storming a fortified place.
6. a vertical case designed to house a computer system standing on the floor.
7. Aviation. See control tower .
8. tower of strength , a person who can be relied on for support, aid, or comfort, esp. in times of difficulty.
v.i.
9. to rise or extend far upward, as a tower; reach or stand high: The skyscraper towers above the city.
10. to rise above or surpass others: She towers above the other students.
11. Falconry. (of a hawk) to rise straight into the air; to ring up.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME tour, earlier tur, tor turris týrris, var. of týrsis tower; ME tor perh. in some cases continuing OE torr turris, as above; (v.) late ME touren, deriv. of the n. ]
tower 2
/toh"euhr/ , n.
a person or thing that tows.
[ 1485-95; TOW 1 + -ER 1 ]