[syn: base, baseborn, humble, lowly]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Lowly \Low"ly\, adv.
1. In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly. "Be lowly
wise." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. In a low condition; meanly.
[1913 Webster]
I will show myself highly fed, and lowly taught.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Lowly \Low"ly\, a. [Compar. Lowlier; superl. Lowliest.]
[Low, a. + -ly.]
1. Not high; not elevated in place; low. "Lowly lands."
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. Low in rank or social importance.
[1913 Webster]
One common right the great and lowly claims. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
3. Not lofty or sublime; humble.
[1913 Webster]
These rural poems, and their lowly strain. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
4. Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free
from pride.
[1913 Webster]
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am
meek and lowly in heart. --Matt. xi.
29.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
lowly
adj 1: low or inferior in station or quality; "a humble
cottage"; "a lowly parish priest"; "a modest man of the
people"; "small beginnings" [syn: humble, low,
lowly, modest, small]
2: inferior in rank or status; "the junior faculty"; "a lowly
corporal"; "petty officialdom"; "a subordinate functionary"
[syn: junior-grade, lower-ranking, lowly, petty(a),
secondary, subaltern]
3: used of unskilled work (especially domestic work) [syn:
humble, menial, lowly]
4: of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense);
"baseborn wretches with dirty faces"; "of humble (or lowly)
birth" [syn: base, baseborn, humble, lowly]