lower

low|er1 [ `lour ] adjective **

1. ) below another thing of the same kind:

the upper and lower lips

a ) fairly near the bottom of something:

the lower floors of the building

─ opposite UPPER

2. ) fairly low in status or importance:

the lower ranks of the army

─ opposite HIGHER

lower

low|er 2 [ `lour ] verb transitive **

1. ) to move something or someone slowly down from a higher position:

She watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground.

The statue was gently lowered back into place.

He lowered himself into the chair.

a ) to look downward:

lower your eyes/head: Mark lowered his head in embarrassment.

─ opposite RAISE

2. ) to reduce something in number, amount, value, or strength:

The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 years.

Less fat in your diet lowers the risk of heart disease.

lower your voice: Joe lowered his voice, as if they might be overheard.

lower yourself

to do something that will make you lose the respect of other people:

I wouldn't lower myself to speak to that woman.

lower

low|er 3 [ `lour ] verb intransitive LITERARY

1. ) if clouds lower, they are very dark, as if a storm is coming

2. ) to look angrily at someone