from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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