Dictionary: LOW – LT

• LOW
adj. 1. c1225 rare – humble in character or disposition; meek
adj. 2. c1225 – without morals; despicable, ignoble; base
adj. 3. a1382 – depressed; dejected, dispirited, despondent
adj. 4. a1398 – lacking bodily strength or vigour; poorly nourished, weak, fragile
adj. 5. a1398 – of a person: short, small in height
adj. 6. 1725 – having a lack of good breeding; coarse, vulgar; nor socially respectable
adj. 7. 1808 obs. poetic usage – dead and buried; lying in the ground
n. 1. a1000 rare – a man-made mound; a burial mound
n. 2. a1000 rare – a hill
n. 3. 20C sl. – a period of intense depression or discomfort, when the effects of a drug have subsided
vb. 1. c1175 obs. – to reduce or bring down with respect to power, status, rank, etc.; to humble; to abase
vb. 2. 1340 rare – to lessen, to diminish; to reduce a price or value
vb. 3. 1340 obs. – to disparage, to belittle; also, to discredit
vb. 4. 1790 Sc. obs. – to put an end to a condition or state of affairs; also, to stop work or activity; to cease
 
• ‘LOW
vb. a1382 – to allow
 
• THE LOW
n. a1225 – low people as a class, esp. those who are of low birth, rank, or status
 
• LOWABLE
adj. a1400 obs. – praiseworthy, admirable, commendable, desirable; also, permissible
 
• LOWANCE
n. a1325 chiefly Eng. dial. – an allowance; a fixed portion of food or drink, or its equivalent in money, given in addition to wages
 
• LOW AS SHARK SHIT
adj. Bk1999 Aust. sl. – despicable
 
• LOWBALL
n. 1957 orig. US – ( as ‘low ball’) an offer of a deceptively or unrealistically low price or value, so as to ensure that a customer makes a purchase or accepts a contract, after which point the seller will revise the price upwards or otherwise alter the conditions; also, an unrealistically low-priced item
vb. 1966 orig. US – to offer a deceptively or unrealistically low price, estimate, bid, etc.
 
• LOWBALLING
n. 1957 orig. US – an offering a deceptively or unrealistically low price, estimate, bid, etc.
 
• LOWBELL
n. 1637 obs. – (as ‘low-bell’) something that stupefies or stuns a person
vb. 1. 1642 obs. – to scare or bewilder a person
vb. 2. 1845 Eng. dial. rare – to condemn and humiliate a person publicly by causing a disturbance outside his or her house by beating pots and kettles, singing and chanting loudly, etc.; to subject to rough music
 
• LOW-BLOODED
adj. 1824, usually derogatory – of low birth or lineage; lower-class; hence, barbarous, uncivilized
 
• LOW-BRIDGE
vb. 1886 US rare – to bend, stoop, or duck as though passing under a low bridge
 
• LOW-BROUGHT
adj. 1459 obs. – brought to a low or unfortunate condition
 
• LOW-BROW
n. 1901 colloq., orig. US – an uneducated person; one who is not highly intellectual or cultured
 
• LOW-BUILT
adj. 1906 Amer. dial. – of a person: short 
 
• LOW-CHEERED
adj. c1400 obs. – having a meek countenance; mild-faced
 
• LOW COTTON
adj. 1941 Amer. dial. – unwell, listless
 
• LOW-DOWN
adj. 1. 1865 sl. orig. US – contemptible, disreputable, worthless; base, mean, of a low social class
adj. 2. 1905 sl., orig US – mean and unfair; underhand, cheating
adj. 3. 1965 Amer. dial. – lacking energy; under the weather; low-in spirits
n. 1. 1905 colloq. – (as ‘lowdown’) the fundamental facts or relevant information about something, orig. esp. when secret or confidential
n. 2. 1969 Amer. dial. – a critical or uncomplimentary remark, a put-down
 
• LOW-DOWNER
n. 1. 1851 US sl., obs. – a person from the lowlands of Virginia
n. 2. 1868 US sl., derogatory – a member of the poor White population of the American South
 
• THE LOW-DOWNS
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – depression, malaise
 
• LOW DUTCH
n. 1. 1567 – a collective term for those forms of German that are not High German; also., West Germanic dialects other than High German
n. 2. 1592 obs. – the people of the Netherlands collectively
n. 3. 1900 – Cape Dutch or Afrikaans, as distinguished from standard Netherlands Dutch
 
• LOW DUTCHMAN
n. 1576 – a native or inhabitant of the Netherlands; a Dutchman; later, a person descended from Dutch settlers
 
• LOWE
n. 1. c1175 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial. – flame, fire; a flame, a fire, a blaze; also, the gleam or glow of a fire, flame, etc.
n. 2. a1425 rare, chiefly poetic usage – a burning or passionate feeling, esp. of love
vb. 1. a1333 rare, chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial. – to be ardent or passionate; to burn with love, passion, etc.
vb. 2. c1400 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial. – to be on fire; to burn, to blaze; also, to glow, to gleam
 
• LOW EASTERDAY
n. a1613 obs. – the Sunday following Easter Sunday
 
• LOW-END
adj. 20C colloq. – relatively cheap or inexpensive of its kind 
 
• LOWER
n. a1325 obs. – reward, recompense
vb. 1. 1575 obs. – to cower, to crouch
vb. 2. 1780 obs. rare – to go down a hill
vb. 3. 1895 sl. – to consume a drink, esp. an alcoholic drink
 
• LOWER-CASE
adj. 1917 chiefly US – small in size or importance; insignificant, inconsequential
 
• LOWERMORE
adj. 1663 obs. rare – designating the bottom part, section, etc. of a person or thing
n. 1663 obs. rare – the thing which is lower in position or degree out of two similar or related things; that which is lower
 
• LOWER ONE’S FEATHERS
vb. 1855 Amer. dial. obs. – to back down from a position 
 
• LOWER THAN A SNAKE’S BELLY
adj. Bk1999 Aust. sl. – despicable
 
• LOWER THAN WHALE SHIT
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – very mean, contemptible, despicable 
 
• LOWER THE BOOM
vb. 1924 US sl. – to deal a decisive or destructive blow
 
• LOWER THE BOOM ON
vb. 1920 US sl. – to inflict severe damage or harsh punishment on; to treat severely; also, to put a stop to an activity
 
• LOWER THE FLAG
vb. 20C – to relinquish command, esp. of a ship
 
• LOWER THE RECORD
vb. Bk1903 sl.-  to surpass all previous performances
 
• THE LOWER WORLD
n. 1. a1398 – Earth as opposed to heaven or the heavens; the earthly world
n. 2. 1639 – the mythical abode of the dead, imagined as being under the earth, the underworld; the place of the damned, hell
 
• LOWEY;  LOWIE
n. 1953 Aust. sl., derogatory – a promiscuous woman
 
• LOW FENCE
n. 1935 Amer. dial. – a difficulty that is easily overcome
 
• LOW-FLYER
 n. 1725 – a person with low aspirations or ambitions
 
• LOW-FLYING
adj. 1835 – having low ambitions or aspirations
 
• LOW-HANGING FRUIT
n. 1972 – the most readily accomplished tasks, measures, or goals; those things that most easily bring a profit or other successful result
 
• LOW-HEEL
n. 1939 Aust. sl., derogatory – a promiscuous woman
 
• LOWING
adj. c1400 – burning, blazing; glowing, gleaming; later,, full of passion or ardour
n. 1533 Sc. & Eng. dial. obs. – an allowance, a supply
 
• LOW-KEY
adj. 1941 – not elaborate, showy, or intense; restrained; modest
 
• LOWLANDER
n. 1. 1621 – a native or inhabitant of the Lowlands of Scotland
n. 2. 1665 – a native or inhabitant of a low-lying or flat part of country or region
 
• LOWLIFE
adj. 1725 – of a person: of low social status, lower-class; coarse, vulgar, disreputable; later, also, despicable, contemptible
n. 1. 1712 – (usually as ‘low life’) the social world of the lower classes; poor or humble society
n. 2. 1909 – a despicable or contemptible person, esp. one involved in criminal activity; also used as a term of abuse
 
• LOW-LIFED
adj. 1. 1747 chiefly US colloq., esp. African-American – characterized by lack of good breeding; vulgar, coarse; also, despicable, contemptible
adj. 2. 1750 chiefly US colloq. esp. African-American – relating to people of low social status, or people regarded as disreputable; of a place: frequented or inhabited by such people
 
• LOW-LIFER
n. 1902 colloq., orig. US – a despicable or contemptible person, esp. one involved in criminal activity; also used as a term of abuse
 
• LOW-LIGHT
n. 1882 – a thing or aspect of a thing that is weak, unsuccessful, or not of the requisite standard; esp. the worst part, or lowest point or moment of something
 
• LOWLIHEAD
n. a1450 rare – humility,  meekness
 
• LOWLIHOOD
n. 1818 rare – humility, meekness
 
• LOWLILY
adv. 1415 arch. – humbly, modestly
 
• LOWLING
n. 1581 arch., often derogatory – a person of low birth or status; a vulgar, ill-mannered, or uncultured person; later, also an underling
 
• LOWLY
adj. 1. a1382 arch. – humble in feeling or demeanour; meek, unassuming, self-effacing; not proud or ambitious
adj. 2. c1485 arch. – humble in rank, condition or quality; insignificant, unimportant; also, unexceptional, ordinary
adj. 3. 1740 arch. – of disreputable moral character; despicable; base
adj. 4. 1968 Amer. dial. – depressed, gloomy
adv. 1440 obs. rare – in an inferior manner; meanly, poorly
vb. c1485 Sc. obs. – to humble or lay low; also, to lower oneself, to condescend
 
• THE LOWLY
n. 1. 1534 arch. – meek or humble people as a class
n. 2. 1547 arch. – people of low rank or importance, as a class; also, a person of low rank or status; an unimportant person
 
• LOWLY BORN
adj. 1623 – of humble birth
 
• LOWLY-LOVELY
adj. 1864 obs. rare, poetic usage – unassumingly lovely
 
• LOW-MAINTENANCE
adj. 1990 – of a person: relaxed and easygoing, undemanding; not requiring a great deal of attention or pampering
 
• LOW MAN
n. c1555 – a dice fixed so as to turn up low numbers, usually through being loaded or improperly spotted; usually used in plural
 
• LOW-MINDED
adj. 1549 obs. – orig., having a modest or humble character; not proud or haughty
 
• LOWN
adj. 1.  c1485 chiefly Sc. – of the weather, a body of water, or some other natural feature: calm, still
adj. 2. a1500 chiefly Sc. – of a person: gentle, calm, quiet
adj. 3. a1522 chiefly Sc. – of a place: sheltered; cosy, snug
adv. 1. a1600 chiefly Sc. – calmly, quietly; peacefully, tranquilly; also, in a low voice, softly
adv. 2. 1724 chiefly Sc. – so as to be sheltered or protected; cosily, snugly
n. 1. a1250 chiefly Sc. – a calm or quiet state; stillness, tranquillity
n. 2. 1603 chiefly Sc. – shelter; a peaceful or sheltered place
vb. 1. 1487 obs., chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial. – to be sheltered
vb. 2. 1513 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial.- to make calm, to lull
vb. 3. a1600 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial.– to become calm or quiet
 
• LOWNCE
n. 1. M19 nautical sl. – a drink
n. 2. 20C Royal Navy colloq. – a ration of food
 
LOWNED
adj. 1513 Sc. obs. – calmed, still
 
• LOWNLY
adv. 1. 1788 Sc. rare – so as to be sheltered or protected; cosily, snugly
adv. 2. 1820 Sc. rare – softly, quietly; in a low voice
 
• LOWN-WARM
adj. 1724 obs. – calm and mild; balmy
 
• LOW PAD
n . 1673 cant – a highwayman who robs on foot, as opposed to on horseback
 
• LOW-PADDING
n. 1671 cant obs. – robbery carried out by a person of foot, as opposed to on horseback
 
• LOW-PARTED
adj. 1662 obs. – lacking intelligence; of no great talent or ability
 
• LOW-POSTED
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of a room:  having a low ceiling
 
• LOW-RATE
vb. 1743 chiefly African-American usage – to denigrate, to disparage, to depreciate; to demean, to belittle
 
• LOW-RENT
adj. 1966 colloq. – second-rate; of inferior quality; bargain-basement
 
• LOW RIDER
n. 1931 sl. rare, orig. & chiefly African-American – a lover who is itinerant, inconstant, or unreliable
 
• LOWRIE
n. 1. a1500 Sc., chiefly poetic usage – a fox; often used as a proper name
n. 2. 1567 obs. – a person likened to a fox; a sly or crafty person
 
• LOW ROAD
n. 20C sl. – a method, manner, etc., that is underhand, unscrupulous, or otherwise contemptible
 
• LOW RUNNER
n. 1670 obs. – a dice fixed so as to turn up low numbers, usually through being loaded or improperly spotted; usually used in plural
 
• LOW-SET
adj. 1984 Amer. dial. – of a person: short 
 
• LOWSHIP
n. c1230 obs. – lowliness; humility
 
• LOW SICK
adj. 1937 Amer. dial. – seriously ill, very sick
 
• LOW-SPIRITED
adj. 1. 1548 rare – nervous, cowardly
adj. 2. 1598 rare – mean-spirited; unpleasant, nasty
 
• LOW-SPIRITEDNESS
n. 1641 rare – cowardice
 
• LOW-TEMPERATURE
adj. 1956 – free from strong or excessive emotion; not heated or impassioned; restrained
 
• LOWTH
n. 1526 rare – lowness; depth
 
• LOW-TICKET
adj. 20C colloq. – having a relatively low price
 
• THE LOW TOBY
n. 1812 thieves’ sl. – robbery by footpads 
 
• LOW TOBYMAN
n. 1811 thieves’ sl. – a footpad 
 
• LOW-TONGUED
adj. 1. a1616 – speaking in a low voice; soft-spoken
adj. 2. 1822 – speaking in a lewd or vulgar manner
 
• LOW-VANITIED
adj. 1748 obs. – deplorably vain
 
• LOW-WITTED
adj. 1. 1742 – showing or caused by malice; spiteful, mean
adj. 2. 1757 – lacking intelligence or dept; not showing or capable of serious thought
 
• LOX
n. 1966 Amer. sl. – a fool; a lummox 
 
• LOX-FOR-BRAINS
n. 1977 Amer. sl. – a fool 
 
• LOX JOCK
n. 1977 US jocular usage – a Jewish man; used disparagingly 
 
• LOYAL
adj. 1. 1608 obs. – of a child: legitimate
adj. 2. 1690 obs. – of money: genuine, legally current; of goods: of the legal standard of quality
 
• LOYALIST
n. US Civil War usage – a Union sympathizer in the South
 
• LOYALITY
n. 1646 obs. – loyalty
 
• LOYALLEMENT
adv. 1549 obs. rare – loyally, faithfully
 
• LOYALS
n. c1550 obs. – those who are bound by allegiance; liege subjects
 
• LOYALTY
n. 1. c1400 obs. – conjugal faithfulness, fidelity
n. 2. 1660 obs. rare – lawfulness, legality of marriage
 
• LOYOLAN
adj. 1613 obs. rare – pert. to the Jesuits
 
• LOYOLISM
n. 1800 – the doctrine or principles of the Jesuits
 
• LOYOLIST
n. 1640 obs. – a Jesuit
 
• LOYOLITE
n. a1670 – a Jesuit
 
• L.S.D.
n. c1835 Brit. colloq. – money 
 
• L-SEVEN
adj. 1950s African-American & teen sl. – unfashionable, unsophisticated 
 
• L.T.R.
n. 1970s sl. – a Living Together Relationship, marriage in all by the legalities