Word Direct Answers

What does "lower" mean?

Lower: To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag. Lowered softly with a threefold cord of love Down to a silent grave. Tennyson.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
  2. 3.To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
  3. 4.To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
  4. 5.To bring down; to humble; as, to lower one's pride.
  5. 6.To reduce in value, amount, etc. ; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
  6. 7.To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
  7. 8.To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest. All the clouds that lowered upon our house. Shak.
  8. 9.To frown; to look sullen. But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face. Dryden.
  9. 10.Cloudiness; gloominess.
  10. 11.A frowning; sullenness.

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