EARTH


Meaning of EARTH in English

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>

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.