All 3 Uses of
fallow
in
The Iliad by Homer - (translated by: Edward)
- But when such space was interpos'd as leave
Between the sluggish oxen and themselves [3]
A team of mules (so much the faster they
Through the stiff fallow drag the jointed plough),
They rush'd upon him; at the sound he stopp'd,
Deeming that from the Trojan camp they came,
By Hector sent, to order his return.†Chpt 2.10 *
- But from the side of Ajax Telamon
Stirr'd not a whit Oileus' active son;
But as on fallow-land with one accord,
Two dark-red oxen drag the well-wrought plough,
Streaming with sweat that gathers round their horns;
They by the polish'd yoke together held,
The stiff soil cleaving, down the furrow strain;
So closely, side by side, those two advanc'd.†Chpt 2.13
- And there was grav'n a wide-extended plain
Of fallow land, rich, fertile, mellow soil,
Thrice plough'd; where many ploughmen up and down
Their teams were driving; and as each attain'd
The limit of the field, would one advance,
And tender him a cup of gen'rous wine:
Then would he turn, and to the end again
Along the furrow cheerly drive his plough.†Chpt 2.18
Definitions:
-
(1)
(fallow) cultivated land temporarily unplanted -- usually to improve the soil; or anything temporarily inactive or undeveloped
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much less commonly, "fallow" can refer to a yellowish-brown color.