n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, soil, piece of land, from Vulgar Latin *solium, alteration of Latin solea sole, sandal, foundation timber ― more at SOLE
Date: 14th century
1 : firm land : EARTH
2 a : the upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in which plants grow b : the superficial unconsolidated and usually weathered part of the mantle of a planet and especially of the earth
3 : COUNTRY , LAND <our native soil >
4 : the agricultural life or calling
5 : a medium in which something takes hold and develops