First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
depth
noun \ˈdepth\
plural depths \ˈdepths, ˈdep(t)s\
Definition of DEPTH
1
a (1) : a deep place in a body of water <fish living at great depths> (2) : a part that is far from the outside or surface <the depths of the woods> (3) : abyss 2 b (1) : a profound or intense state (as of thought or feeling) <the depths of misery>; also : a reprehensibly low condition <hadn't realized that standards had fallen to such depths> (2) : the middle of a time (as winter) (3) : the worst part
2
a : the perpendicular measurement downward from a surface b : the direct linear measurement from front to back
3
: the quality of being deep
4
: the degree of intensity <depth of a color>; also : the quality of being profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge)
5
: the quality or state of being complete or thorough <a study will be made in depth>
6
: a large number of good players <a team that lacks depth>
— depth·less \ˈdepth-ləs\ adjective
— beyond one's depth or out of one's depth
: beyond the limits of one's capabilities <an actor who is out of his depth in serious drama>
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Origin of DEPTH
Middle English, from dep deep
DEPTHS Defined for Kids
depth
noun \ˈdepth\
Definition of DEPTH for Kids
1
: measurement from top to bottom or from front to back <a cupboard's depth>
2
: a place far below a surface or far inside something (as a sea or a forest) <Some unusual fish live at great depths.>
3
: the middle of time <the depth of winter>
4
: intensity 2 <a depth of color> <No one can imagine the … depth of our emotion … — E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan>
5
: abundance, completeness <The speaker displayed a depth of knowledge.>
Medical Dictionary
depth
noun \ˈdepth\
plural depths \ˈdepth, ˈdep(t)s\
Medical Definition of DEPTH
1
: the distance between upper and lower or between dorsal and ventral points of a body
2
: the quality of a state of consciousness, a bodily state, or a physiological function of being intense or complete <the depth of anesthesia> <the depth of respiration>
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