n.
Pronunciation: ' ə rth
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English erthe, from Old English eorthe; akin to Old High German erda earth, Greek era
Date: before 12th century
1 : the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe especially : 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 capitalized : the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun ― see PLANET table
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 earth to clean ― Joanne Winship>
– earth · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective
– on earth
― used as an intensive <to find out what on earth he was up to ― Michael Holroyd>