a. [f. TALL a. + -ISH1.] Inclining towards tallness; rather tall.
1664. Howell, trans. Loschi’s Compendi Historici, in Disc. Precedency of Kings, 35. The Peeple of England are innumerable; the Men well-disposd, and organizd or limmd; tallish of stature, of comely Countenances, white, and reddish: they are terrible in the Wars, and bold, headlong and cruel in their resolutions.
1725. G. Whitehead, Christian progress, I. § 63. 230. While I was declaring the Truth, a tallish Man, who they said was an Inn-keeper, (with a rude Company after him) rushing violently and furiously, came into the Meeting, aiming chiefly to pull me down.
1733. Lond. Mag., II. Dec., 613/2. The wise Gentleman [a Fortune-Teller] it seems told her she was to marry a tallish Gentleman; and Mr. Dapper, the Person she likes, will in no manner answer to the Description.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1810), VI. xxxvi. 132. He is a thin, tallish man.
1858. Masson, Milton (1859), I. vi. 467. According to Aubrey, he [Waller] was of tallish and rather slim make.
1882. Garden, 11 Feb., 90/1. A big clump of tallish trees.
1916. J. Buchan, Greenmantle, ii. 12. I know the fellow—Harry used to bring him down to fish—tallish, with a lean, high-boned face and a pair of brown eyes like a pretty girl’s.
