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