n.
Pronunciation: ˌ cher-n ə - ' zyo ̇ m, - ' zem
Function: noun
Etymology: Russian, from chërny ĭ black + zemlya earth
Date: 1841
: any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (as the grasslands of central No. America) of temperate to cool climate
– cher · no · zem · ic \ - ' zyo ̇ -mik, - ' ze- \ adjective