New Word #67: High And Low

The High Point in Height

elevation: same as altitude, which means the height above a given level, especially sea level. For example, Edison Township of New Jersey has an elevation of 39 feet, which is equivalent to 12 meters. Since it is so close to the seaside (but no beach unless you travel two hours by car to Ocean City, the southernmost point of the state), I hope the sea level increase will not affect this area.

plateau: /plaˈtō/ an flat area of relatively level high ground. In daily life, this word is more often used in a phrase like “hit a plateau” which means to stop growing or improving at something after a period of growth.

apex: the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point. “the living room extends right up into the apex of the roof”

vertex: the highest point; the top or apex.

pinnacle: the most successful point; the culmination.

summit: the highest point of a hill or mountain. For example: “The summit of Everest is the point at which Earth’s surface reaches the greatest distance above sea level.”

High Point In History Or Theater Or Music

zenith: the time at which something is most powerful or successful.

culmination: the highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.

climax: the most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex.

crescendo: the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound.

finale: the last part of a piece of music, a performance, or a public event, especially when particularly dramatic or exciting. “The grand finale of ‘Seinfeld’ was great, but still it left many fans heartbroken.”

denouement: the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

apotheosis: the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

The Low Point

valley: a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it.

nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization. “they had reached the nadir of their sufferings”

anticlimax: a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events.

Between The High And The Low Point

escarpment: a long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights.

ramp: a slope or inclined plane for joining two different levels, as at the entrance or between floors of a building. This is not to be confused with rampant, which has nothing to do with ramp. Rampant means (especially of something unwelcome or unpleasant) flourishing or spreading unchecked.

incline: a slope, especially on a road or railway.

acclivity: an upward slope.

Phrases With “High” Or “Tall” In Them

a tall order: something that is very difficult to do

tall, dark, and handsome: It is a phrase used for over a century, mainly to describe swoon worthy leading men.

a tall story: a story that is very difficult to believe

high end: denoting the most expensive of a range of products. I know one person who enjoys using this phrase. We’ve been secretly using “high end” as his nickname.

high and mighty: someone who behaves as though they are superior to others

high profile: be prominent or well-known

high and dry: left in difficulty without help or resources

high flyer: a person who is or has the potential to be very successful, especially academically or in business.

It’s high time: appropriate time for something to happen, or something is overdue

high and low: in many different places.”we searched high and low for a new teacher”

ebb and flow: a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth.