tall

English

/tɔːl/, /tɔl/, /tɑl/

adj
Definitions
  • (of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.
  • (of a building, etc.) Having its top a long way up; having a great vertical (and often greater than horizontal) extent; high.
  • (of a story) Hard to believe, such as a tall story or a tall tale.
  • (chiefly) A cup of coffee smaller than grande, usually 8 ounces.
  • (obsolete) Obsequious; obedient.
  • (obsolete) Seemly; suitable; fitting, becoming, comely; attractive, handsome.
  • (obsolete) Bold; brave; courageous; valiant.
  • (archaic) Fine; proper; admirable; great; excellent.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English tall inherited from Old English *tæl inherited from Proto-Germanic *talaz (obedient, pliable, submissive) derived from Proto-Indo-European *dol- (calculation, fraud, reckoning).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*dol-

Gloss

calculation, fraud, reckoning

Kanji

算

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms