Taller

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

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