Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Having or suited for a low rank or position.
  • adjective Humble or meek in manner.
  • adjective Plain or prosaic in nature.
  • adverb In a low manner, condition, or position.
  • adverb In a meek or humble manner.
  • adverb Low in sound.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a humble manner or condition; humbly; meekly; modestly.
  • Without distinction or dignity; meanly.
  • Not high or elevated; depressed in altitude, situation, or position; lying or being low.
  • Not of a high order or degree; of humble rank or kind; hence, unpretending; rude; mean: as, a lowly swain; a lowly cottage.
  • Humble in manner or spirit; free from pride: modest; meek.
  • Synonyms Modest, resigned, submissive, mild.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not high; not elevated in place; low.
  • adjective Low in rank or social importance.
  • adjective Not lofty or sublime; humble.
  • adjective Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.
  • adverb In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.
  • adverb In a low condition; meanly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Not high; not elevated in place; low.
  • adjective Low in rank or social importance.
  • adjective Not lofty or sublime; humble.
  • adjective Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.
  • adverb In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.
  • adverb In a low condition; meanly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense)
  • adjective used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
  • adjective inferior in rank or status
  • adjective low or inferior in station or quality

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From low +‎ -ly.

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