ˈtauə n. & v. --n. 1 a a
tall esp.
square or
circular structure,
often part of a
church,
castle, etc. b a
fortress etc. comprising or including a tower. c a tall structure housing
machinery,
apparatus, operators, etc. (cooling tower;
control tower). 2 a
place of
defence; a
protection. --v.intr. 1 (usu. foll. by
above, high)
reach or be
high or above; be
superior. 2 (of a bird)
soar or
hover. 3 (as towering adj.) a high,
lofty (towering intellect). b
violent (towering rage). øtower
block a tall
building containing offices or flats. tower of
silence a tall open-topped structure on
which Parsees place
their dead. tower of
strength a
person who gives
strong and reliable support. øøtowered adj. towery adj. [OE
torr, & ME tur, AF & OF tur
etc., f. L turris f. Gk]