| Library / English Dictionary |
LOWLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Irregular inflected forms: lowlier , lowliest
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of low birth or station ('base' is archaic in this sense)
Example:
of humble (or lowly) birth
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
lowborn (of humble birth or origins)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Inferior in rank or status
Example:
a subordinate functionary
Synonyms:
junior-grade; lower-ranking; lowly; petty; secondary; subaltern
Classified under:
Similar:
junior (younger; lower in rank; shorter in length of tenure or service)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
Synonyms:
humble; lowly; menial
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unskilled (not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Low or inferior in station or quality
Example:
small beginnings
Synonyms:
humble; low; lowly; modest; small
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
inferior (of or characteristic of low rank or importance)
Context examples:
As to her cousins' gaieties, she loved to hear an account of them, especially of the balls, and whom Edmund had danced with; but thought too lowly of her own situation to imagine she should ever be admitted to the same, and listened, therefore, without an idea of any nearer concern in them.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
But as the meek and lowly at the penitent form catch splendid glimpses of their future lordly existence, so did he catch similar glimpses of the state he would gain to by possessing her.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
High and strong the chateaux, lowly and weak the brushwood hut; but God help the seigneur and his lady when the men of the brushwood set their hands to the work of revenge!
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
There are people enough to tread upon me in my lowly state, without my doing outrage to their feelings by possessing learning.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
There will be some difficulty in our way, Mrs. Norris, observed Sir Thomas, as to the distinction proper to be made between the girls as they grow up: how to preserve in the minds of my daughters the consciousness of what they are, without making them think too lowly of their cousin; and how, without depressing her spirits too far, to make her remember that she is not a Miss Bertram.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
So it would be best, since you think so lowly of me, that you should take this path to the left while I keep on upon this one; for it is clear that I can be no fit companion for you.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Umble as I am, he wiped his hands harder, and looked at them and at the fire by turns, umble as my mother is, and lowly as our poor but honest roof has ever been, the image of Miss Agnes (I don't mind trusting you with my secret, Master Copperfield, for I have always overflowed towards you since the first moment I had the pleasure of beholding you in a pony-shay) has been in my breast for years.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
She received me with the utmost humility, and apologized to me for giving her son a kiss, observing that, lowly as they were, they had their natural affections, which they hoped would give no offence to anyone.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
