\Tall\, a. [Compar. {Taller}; superl. {Tallest}.] [OE. tal
seemly, elegant, docile (?); of uncertain origin; cf. AS.
un-tala, un-tale, bad, Goth. untals indocile, disobedient,
uninstructed, or W. & Corn. tal high, Ir. talla meet, fit,
proper, just.]
1. High in stature; having a considerable, or an unusual,
   extension upward; long and comparatively slender; having
   the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the
   height; as, a tall person, tree, or mast.
         Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall. --Milton.
2. Brave; bold; courageous. [Obs.]
         As tall a trencherman As e'er demolished a pye
         fortification.                        --Massinger.
         His companions, being almost in despair of victory,
         were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley,
         which came to succors with three thousand tall men.
                                               --Grafton.
3. Fine; splendid; excellent; also, extravagant; excessive.
   [Obs. or Slang] --B. Jonson.
Syn: High; lofty.
Usage: {Tall}, {High}, {Lofty}. High is the generic term, and
       is applied to anything which is elevated or raised
       above another thing. Tall specifically describes that
       which has a small diameter in proportion to its
       height; hence, we speak of a tall man, a tall steeple,
       a tall mast, etc., but not of a tall hill. Lofty has a
       special reference to the expanse above us, and denotes
       an imposing height; as, a lofty mountain; a lofty
       room. Tall is now properly applied only to physical
       objects; high and lofty have a moral acceptation; as,
       high thought, purpose, etc.; lofty aspirations; a
       lofty genius. Lofty is the stronger word, and is
       usually coupled with the grand or admirable.