from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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The water where the brook is deep. --Shak.
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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.
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Shadowing squadrons deep. --Milton.
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Safely in harbor
Is the king's ship in the deep nook. --Shak.
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3. Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as,
a deep valley.
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4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; -- opposed to
{shallow} or {superficial}; intricate; mysterious; not
obvious; obscure; as, a deep subject or plot.
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Speculations high or deep. --Milton.
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A question deep almost as the mystery of life. --De
Quincey.
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O Lord, . . . thy thoughts are very deep. --Ps.
xcii. 5.
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5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial;
thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.
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Deep clerks she dumbs. --Shak.
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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.
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An attitude of deep respect. --Motley.
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7. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as,
deep blue or crimson.
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8. Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy.
"The deep thunder." --Byron.
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The bass of heaven's deep organ. --Milton.
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9. Muddy; boggy; sandy; -- said of roads. --Chaucer.
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The ways in that vale were very deep. --Clarendon.
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{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.
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