[earn] vt [ME ernen, fr. OE earnian; akin to OHG arnon to reap, Czech jesen autumn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to receive as return for effort and esp. for work done or services rendered b: to bring in by way of return "bonds ~ing 10% interest"
2. a: to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to "she ~ed a promotion" b: to make worthy of or obtain for "the suggestion ~ed him a promotion" -- earn.er n
[2]earn vi [prob. alter. of yearn] (1599) obs: grieve