n. & v.
n. 1 the solid part of the earth's surface (opp. SEA, WATER, AIR). 2 a an expanse of country; ground; soil. b such land in relation to its use, quality, etc., or (often prec. by the) as a basis for agriculture (building land; this is good land; works on the land). 3 a country, nation, or State (land of hope and glory). 4 a landed property. b (in pl.) estates. 5 the space between the rifling-grooves in a gun. 6 Sc. a building containing several dwellings. 7 S.Afr. ground fenced off for tillage. 8 a strip of plough or pasture land parted from others by drain-furrows.
v. 1 a tr. & intr. set or go ashore. b intr. (often foll. by at) disembark (landed at the harbour). 2 tr. bring (an aircraft, its passengers, etc.) to the ground or the surface of water. 3 intr. (of an aircraft, bird, parachutist, etc.) alight on the ground or water. 4 tr. bring (a fish) to land. 5 tr. & intr. (also refl.; often foll. by up) colloq. bring to, reach, or find oneself in a certain situation, place, or state (landed himself in jail; landed up in France; landed her in trouble; landed up penniless). 6 tr. colloq. a deal (a person etc.) a blow etc. (landed him one in the eye). b (foll. by with) present (a person) with (a problem, job, etc.). 7 tr. set down (a person, cargo, etc.) from a vehicle, ship, etc. 8 tr. colloq. win or obtain (a prize, job, etc.) esp. against strong competition. how the land lies what is the state of affairs. in the land of the living joc. still alive. land-agency 1 the stewardship of an estate. 2 an agency for the sale etc. of estates. land-agent 1 the steward of an estate. 2 an agent for the sale of estates. land-bank a bank issuing banknotes on the securities of landed property. land breeze a breeze blowing towards the sea from the land, esp. at night. land-bridge a neck of land joining two large land masses. land-crab a crab, Cardisoma guanhumi, that lives in burrows inland and migrates in large numbers to the sea to breed. land force (or forces) armies, not naval or air forces. land-form a natural feature of the earth's surface. land-girl Brit. a woman doing farm work, esp. in wartime. land-grabber an illegal seizer of land, esp. a person who took the land of an evicted Irish tenant. land-law (usu. in pl.) the law of landed property. land-line a means of telecommunication over land. land-locked almost or entirely enclosed by land. land mass a large area of land. land-mine 1 an explosive mine laid in or on the ground. 2 a parachute mine. land of cakes Scotland. land office US an office recording dealings in public land. land-office business US enormous trade. land of Nod sleep (with pun on the phr. in gen. 4:16). land on one's feet attain a good position, job, etc., by luck. Land's End the westernmost point of Cornwall and of England. land-tax hist. a tax assessed on landed property. land-tie a rod, beam, or piece of masonry securing or supporting a wall etc. by connecting it with the ground. land-wind a wind blowing seaward from the land. land yacht a vehicle with wheels and sails for recreational use on a beach etc. lander n. landless adj. landward adj. & adv. landwards adv.
[ OE f. Gmc ]