n.
Pronunciation: ' d ə rt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English drit, from Old Norse; akin to Old English dr ī tan to defecate
Date: 13th century
1 a : EXCREMENT b : a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime) c archaic : something worthless d : a contemptible person <treated me like dirt >
2 : loose or packed soil or sand : EARTH <a mound of dirt > <a dirt road>
3 a : an abject or filthy state : SQUALOR <living in dirt > b : CORRUPTION , CHICANERY <vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government> c : licentiousness of language or theme d : scandalous or malicious gossip <spreading dirt about his ex-wife> e : embarrassing or incriminating information <trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals>