depth

noun

• 1the distance from the top or surface of something to its bottom:shallow water of no more than 12 feet in depth
• distance from the nearest to the farthest point of something or from the front to the back:the depth of the wardrobe
• used to specify the distance below the top or surface of something to which someone or something percolates or at which something happens: [in singular]:loosen the soil to a depth of 8 inches
• the apparent existence of three dimensions in a picture, photograph, or other two-dimensional representation; perspective:texture in a picture gives it depth
• lowness of pitch:my voice had not yet acquired husky depths

• 2complexity and profundity of thought:the book has unexpected depth
• extensive and detailed study or knowledge:third-year courses typically go into more depth
• intensity of emotion, usually considered as a laudable quality:a man of compassion and depth of feeling
• intensity of color:the wine shows good depth of color

• 3 (the depths) a point far below the surface:he lifted the manhole cover and peered into the depths beneath
• (also the depth) the worst or lowest part or state:4 a.m. in the depths of winter the putrid depths to which morality has sunk
• a time when one’s negative feelings are at their most intense:she was in the depths of despair
• a place that is remote and inaccessible:a remote little village somewhere in the depths of Russia

• 4 Sports the strength of a team in its reserve of substitute players:they have so much depth that they could afford the luxury of breaking in their players slowly