[ground] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE grund; akin to OHG grunt ground] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the bottom of a body of water b pl (1): sediment 1 (2): ground coffee beans after brewing
2. a: a basis for belief, action, or argument "~ for complaint"--often used in pl. b (1): a fundamental logical condition (2): a basic metaphysical cause 3 a: a surrounding area: background b: material that serves as a substratum
4. a: the surface of the earth b: an area used for a particular purpose "parade ~" "fishing ~s" c pl: the area around and belonging to a house or other building d: an area to be won or defended in or as if in battle e: an area of knowledge or special interest "covered a lot of ~ in his lecture"
5. a: soil, earth b: a special soil
6. a: an object that makes an electrical connection with the earth b: a large conducting body (as the earth) used as a common return for an electric circuit and as an arbitrary zero of potential c: electric connection with a ground 7: a football offense utilizing primarily running plays -- from the ground up 1: entirely new or afresh
2: from top to bottom: thoroughly -- into the ground : beyond what is necessary or tolerable: to exhaustion "labored an issue into the ground --Newsweek" -- off the ground : in or as if in flight: off to a good start "the program never got off the ground" -- on the ground : at the scene of action -- to ground 1: into a burrow "the fox went to ground"
2: into hiding "might need to make a run for it and go to ground someplace --Edward Hoagland"
[2]ground vt (13c) 1 a: to bring to or place on the ground b: to cause to run aground
2. a: to provide a reason or justification for "our fears about technological change may be well ~ed --L. K. Williams" b: to furnish with a foundation of knowledge: base "an understanding ... that is ~ed in fact --Michael Kimmelman"
3: to connect electrically with a ground
4. a: to restrict to the ground "~ a pilot" b: to prohibit from taking part in some usual activities "~ed her for a week"
5: to throw (a football) intentionally to the ground to avoid being tackled for a loss ~ vi 1: to have a ground or basis: rely
2: to run aground
3: to hit a grounder [3]ground past and past part of grind