Tall, a.
(tawl), a. [compar. TALLER; superl. TALLEST.] [W. tāl, talau, to make or grow tall. Cf. Sw. tall, a pine-tree; A-S. telga, branch, twig.]
Sense 1. High in stature; long and comparatively slender;—applied to a person, or to a standing tree, mast, pole, or the like, having the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the height.
Two of nobler shape, Erect and tall. Milton.
Sense 2. Brave; bold; courageous. [Obs.]
As tall a trencherman As e’er demolished a pie-fortification. Massinger.
His [the Earl of Richmond’s] companions, being almost in despair of victory, were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley, which came to succors with three thousand tall men. Grafton.
Synonyms—High; lofty.—TALL, HIGH, LOFTY. High is the generic term, and is probably allied to the verb to hang, as hung up. Tall 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, &c., but not of a tall hill or a tall house. Lofty has a special reference to the expanse above us, and may be applied to extension in breadth as well as height; as, a lofty mountain; a lofty room. Tall is applied only to physical objects; high and lofty have a moral acceptation; as, high thought, purpose, &c.; lofty aspirations; a lofty genius. Lofty, from its etymology, is naturally the stronger word, and is usually coupled with the grand, or that which excites admiration.
High o’er their heads a moldering rock is placed. Dryden.
See lofty Lebanon his head advance. Pope.
At some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form. Goldsmith.