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taller |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Tall \Tall\, a. [Compar. {Taller}; superl. {Tallest}.] [OE. tal seemly, elegant, docile (?); of uncertain origin; cf AS un-tala, un-tale, bad Goth. untals indocile, disobedient, uninstructed, or W. & Corn. tal high, Ir talla meet fit proper, just.] 1. High in stature; having a considerable, or an unusual, extension upward; long and comparatively slender; having the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the height; as a tall person, tree, or mast. Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall. --Milton. 2. Brave; bold; courageous. [Obs.] As tall a trencherman As e'er demolished a pye fortification. --Massinger. His companions, being almost in despair of victory, were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley, which came to succors with three thousand tall men. --Grafton. 3. Fine; splendid; excellent; also extravagant; excessive. [Obs. or Slang] --B. Jonson Syn: High; lofty. Usage: {Tall}, {High}, {Lofty}. High is the generic term, and is applied to anything which is elevated or raised above another thing Tall specifically describes that which has a small diameter in proportion to its height; hence we speak of a tall man, a tall steeple, a tall mast, etc., but not of a tall hill. Lofty has a special reference to the expanse above us and denotes an imposing height; as a lofty mountain; a lofty room Tall is now properly applied only to physical objects; high and lofty have a moral acceptation; as high thought, purpose, etc.; lofty aspirations; a lofty genius. Lofty is the stronger word and is usually coupled with the grand or admirable.
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