GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   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.]
   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.
   1913 Webster
   Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Brave; bold; courageous. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   As tall a trencherman
   As e'er demolished a pye fortification.
   Massinger.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
   
   1913 Webster
   Fine; splendid; excellent; also, extravagant; excessive. [Obs. or Slang]
   B. Jonson.
   
   1913 Webster
   Syn. -- High; lofty.  -- 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.
   1913 Webster