Deep

a. [compar. DEEPER; superl. DEEPEST.] [A-S. deop, diop, D. diep, L. Ger. deep, Icel. diupr, Goth. diups, Sw. diup, Dan. dyb, O. H. Ger. tiuf, N. H. Ger. tief, from A-S. dyppan, to dip, immerse, deopan, to be immersed, Goth. diupan, to be deep. Cf. Dip.]

1Sense 1. Extending far below the surface; of great perpendicular dimension, conceived of as measured downward, distinguished from high, which is measured upward; low-descending; profound; as, a deep sea, pit, or hole; a deep wound; to take deep root.

The water where the brook is deep. Shak.

2Sense 2. Extending far back from the front; of great horizontal dimension, conceived of as measured backward from the forward or nearer part, mouth, &c.; as, a deep cave or recess; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of soldiers six files deep.

Shadowing squadrons deep. Milton.

Safely in harbor Is the king's ship in the deep nook. Shak.

3Sense 3. Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as, a deep valley.

4Sense 4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; intricate; mysterious; profound; secret; unfathomable; as, a deep subject or plot. “Speculations high or deep.” Milton. “A question deep almost as the mystery of life.” De Quincey.

O Lord, thy thoughts are very deep. Ps. xxiii. 5.

5Sense 5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly versed; profoundly learned; as, a man of deep thought. “Deep clerks she dumbs.” Shak.

6Sense 6. Profoundly moving or affecting; penetrating; thorough; as, deep distress; deep melancholy; deep horror. “Deep despair.” Milton. “An attitude of deep respect.” Motley.

7Sense 7. Profoundly quiet or dark; complete and overmastering; unmixed. “Deep silence.” Milton. “Deep sleep.” Gen. ii. 21. “Deeper darkness.” Hoole.

8Sense 8. Sunk low; depressed; abject. “Their deep poverty.” 2 Cor. viii. 2.

9Sense 9. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as, deep blue or crimson.

10Sense 10. Of low tone; not high or sharp; grave; heavy. “The bass of heaven's deep organ.” Milton. “The deep thunder.” Byron.

A deep line of operations (Strategy), a long line.

To a great depth; with depth; far down; profoundly.

Deep versed in books, and shallow in himself. Milton.

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. Pope.

n. 1. That which is deep, especially deep water; the sea or ocean. “The deeps of knowledge.” Cowley. “Neptune, monarch of the deep.” Pope.

The hollow deep of hell resounded. Milton.

2Sense 2. That which is profound; not easily fathomed; incomprehensible.

Thy judgments are a great deep. Ps. xxxvi. 6.

3Sense 3. The most quiet or profound part; the midst; the depth.

The deep of night is crept upon our talk. Shak.