lower

I

low•er

[[t]ˈloʊ ər[/t]] v. t.

1) to cause to descend; let or put down:

to lower a flag[/ex]

2) to make lower in height or level:

to lower the water in a canal[/ex]

3) to reduce in amount, price, degree, or force

4) to make less loud or lower in pitch

5) to bring down in rank or estimation

6) phn to alter the articulation of (a vowel) by increasing the distance of the tongue downward from the palate

7) to become lower, grow less, or diminish

8) to descend; sink:

the sun lowering in the west[/ex]

9) comparative of low I

10) geo of or pertaining to the parts of a river farthest from the source

11) gel (often cap.) of or pertaining to an early division of a geologic period, system, or the like:

the Lower Devonian[/ex]

12) den Usu., lowers. a denture for the lower jaw

13) a lower berth

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Etymology: 1150–1200; ME, comp. of low I (adj.) II

low•er

[[t]ˈlaʊ ər, laʊər[/t]] v. i.

1) to be dark and threatening

2) to scowl; glower

3) a frown; scowl

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Etymology: 1250–1300