low·er¹ / ˈlōər/ • adj. 1. comparative of low¹ . 2. less high: the lower levels of the building managers lower down the hierarchy. ∎  (of an animal or plant) showing relatively primitive or simple characteristics. ∎  (often Lower) Geol. & Archaeol. denoting an older (and hence usually deeper) part of a stratigraphic division or archaeological deposit or the period in which it was formed or deposited: Lower Cretaceous Lower Paleolithic.3. [in place names] situated on less high land or to the south or toward the sea: the sweatshops of the Lower East Side.• adv. in or into a lower position: the sun sank lower.DERIVATIVES: low·er·most / -ˌmōst/ adj.low·er² / ˈlōər/ • v. [tr.] move (someone or something) in a downward direction: he watched the coffin being lowered into the ground. ∎  reduce the height, pitch, or elevation of: she lowered her voice to a whisper. ∎  make or become less in amount, extent, or value: [tr.] traffic speeds must be lowered | [intr.] temperatures lowered. ∎  direct (one's eyes) downward. ∎  (lower oneself) behave in a way that is perceived as unworthy or debased.PHRASES: lower the boom on inf. treat or reprimand (someone) severely. ∎  put a stop to (an activity): let's lower the boom on high-level corruption.low·er³ / ˈlou(ə)r/ (also lour) • v. [intr.] look angry or sullen; frown: the lofty statue lowers at patients in the infirmary. ∎  (of the sky, weather, or landscape) look dark and threatening: [as adj.] (lowering) a day of lowering clouds. • n. a scowl. ∎  a dark and gloomy appearance of the sky, weather or landscape.DERIVATIVES: low·er·ing·ly adv.

lower2 see LOUR.