Lower, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lowered; p. pr. & vb. n. Lowering.]
Etymology: [From Low, a.]
1. To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag. Lowered softly with a threefold cord of love Down to a silent grave. Tennyson.
2. To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
3. To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
4. To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
2 more senses
5. To bring down; to humble; as, to lower one's pride.
6. To reduce in value, amount, etc. ; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
4 other Webster entries under this spelling
Lower, a.
Compar. of Low, a.
Lower, v. i.
To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Lower, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lowered; p. pr. & vb. n. Lowering.]
1. To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest. All the clouds that lowered upon our house. Shak.
2. To frown; to look sullen. But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face. Dryden.
Lower, n. [Obs.]
1. Cloudiness; gloominess.
2. A frowning; sullenness.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for lower; he lists it under abase, abate, disparage.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.