- Deep
- Deep Deep (d[=e]p), a. [Compar. {Deeper} (d[=e]p"[~e]r);
superl. {Deepest} (d[=e]p"[e^]st).] [OE. dep, deop, AS.
de['o]p; akin to D. diep, G. tief, Icel. dj[=u]pr, Sw. diup,
Dan. dyb, Goth. diups; fr. the root of E. dip, dive. See
{Dip}, {Dive}.]
1. Extending far below the surface; of great perpendicular
dimension (measured from the surface downward, and
distinguished from high, which is measured upward); far to
the bottom; having a certain depth; as, a deep sea.
[1913 Webster]
The water where the brook is deep. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Extending far back from the front or outer part; of great horizontal dimension (measured backward from the front or nearer part, mouth, etc.); as, a deep cave or recess or wound; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of soldiers six files deep. [1913 Webster]
Shadowing squadrons deep. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Safely in harbor Is the king's ship in the deep nook. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as, a deep valley. [1913 Webster]
4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; -- opposed to {shallow} or {superficial}; intricate; mysterious; not obvious; obscure; as, a deep subject or plot. [1913 Webster]
Speculations high or deep. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
A question deep almost as the mystery of life. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
O Lord, . . . thy thoughts are very deep. --Ps. xcii. 5. [1913 Webster]
5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning. [1913 Webster]
Deep clerks she dumbs. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
6. Profound; thorough; complete; unmixed; intense; heavy; heartfelt; as, deep distress; deep melancholy; deep horror. ``Deep despair.'' --Milton. ``Deep silence.'' --Milton. ``Deep sleep.'' --Gen. ii. 21. ``Deeper darkness.'' --Hoole. ``Their deep poverty.'' --2 Cor. viii. 2. [1913 Webster]
An attitude of deep respect. --Motley. [1913 Webster]
7. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as, deep blue or crimson. [1913 Webster]
8. Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy. ``The deep thunder.'' --Byron. [1913 Webster]
The bass of heaven's deep organ. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
9. Muddy; boggy; sandy; -- said of roads. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
The ways in that vale were very deep. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
{A deep line of operations} (Military), a long line.
{Deep mourning} (Costume), mourning complete and strongly marked, the garments being not only all black, but also composed of lusterless materials and of such fashion as is identified with mourning garments. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
