[earth] n [ME erthe, fr. OE eorthe; akin to OHG erda earth, Gk era] (bef. 12c) 1: the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe; esp: cultivable soil
2: the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life--compare heaven, hell 3 a: areas of land as distinguished from sea and air b: the solid footing formed of soil: ground
4. often cap: the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun
5. a: the people of the planet Earth b: the mortal human body c: the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life as distinguished from spiritual concerns
6: the lair of a burrowing animal 7: an excessive amount of money--used with the "real suede, which costs the ~ to clean --Joanne Winship" -- earth.like adj -- on earth --used as an intensive "to find out what on earth he was up to --Michael Holroyd"
[2]earth vt (1575) 1: to drive to hiding in the earth
2: to draw soil about (plants)--often used with up 3 chiefly Brit: ground 3 ~ vi, of a hunted animal: to hide in the ground