or surface, in comparison with what is
usual, or with some standard; a table is _high_ if it exceeds thirty
inches; a hill is not _high_ at a hundred feet. That is _tall_ whose
height is greatly in excess of its breadth or diameter, and whose actual
height is great for an object of its kind; as, a _tall_ tree; a _tall_
man; _tall_ grass. That is _lofty_ which is imposing or majestic in
height; we term a spire _tall_ with reference to its altitude, or
_lofty_ with reference to its majestic appearance. That is _elevated_
which is raised somewhat above its surroundings; that is _eminent_ which
is far above them; as, an _elevated_ platform; an _eminent_ promontory.
In the figurative sense, _elevated_ is less than _eminent_, and this
less than _exalted_; we speak of _high_, _lofty_, or _elevated_
thoughts, aims, etc., in the good sense, but sometimes of _high_
feelings, looks, words, etc., in the invidious sense of haughty or
arrogant. A _high_ ambition may be merely selfish; a _lofty_ ambition is
worthy and _noble_. _Towering_, in the literal sense compares with
_lofty_ and majestic; but in the figurative sense, its use is almost
always invidious; as, a _towering_ passion; a _towering_ ambition
disregards and crushes all opposing considerations, however rational,
lovely, or holy. Compare STEEP.

Antonyms:

base, degraded, dwarfed, inferior, low, mean, short, stunted.
deep, depressed,

* * * * *

HINDER.

Synonyms:

baffle, clog, foil, obstruct, retard,
balk, counteract, frustrate, oppose, stay,
bar, delay, hamper, prevent, stop,
block, embarrass, impede, resist, thwart.
check, encumber, interrupt,

To _hinder_ is to keep from action, progress, motion, or growth, or to
make such action, progress, motion, or growth later in beginning or
completion than it would otherwise have been. An action is _prevented_
by anything that comes in before it to make it impossible; it is
_hindered_ by anything that keeps it from either beginning or ending so
soon as it otherwise would, or as expected or intended. It is more
common, however, to say that the start is _delayed_, the progress
_hindered_. An action that is _hindered_ does not take place at the
appointed or appropriate time; that which is _prevented_ does not take
place at all; to _hinder_ a thing long enough may amount to _preventing_
it. A railroad-train may be _hi