fallow

adjective (1)

fal·low | \ ˈfa-(ˌ)lō

Definition of fallow

(Entry 1 of 4)

: of a light yellowish-brown color a fallow greyhound

fallow

noun

Definition of fallow (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : usually cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the growing season

2 obsolete : plowed land

3 : the state or period of being fallow Summer fallow is effective for destroying weeds.

4 : the tilling of land without sowing it for a season

fallow

verb

fallowed; fallowing; fallows

Definition of fallow (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

: to plow, harrow, and break up (land) without seeding to destroy weeds and conserve soil moisture

fallow

adjective (2)

Definition of fallow (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : left untilled or unsown after plowing

2 : dormant, inactive —used especially in the phrase to lie fallow at this very moment there are probably important inventions lying fallow — Harper's

First Known Use of fallow

Adjective (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for fallow

Adjective (1)

Middle English falow, from Old English fealu; akin to Old High German falo pale, fallow, Latin pallēre to be pale, Greek polios gray

Noun, Verb, and Adjective (2)

Middle English falwe, falow, from Old English fealg — more at felly

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More Definitions for fallow

fallow

adjective

fal·low | \ ˈfa-lō

Kids Definition of fallow

: not tilled or planted fallow fields

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fallow

Definition of fallow

Other Words from fallow

First Known Use of fallow

History and Etymology for fallow

Kids Definition of fallow

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