[land] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG lant land, MIr lann] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the solid part of the surface of the earth; also: a corresponding part of a celestial body (as the moon) b: ground or soil of a specified situation, nature, or quality "dry ~" c: the surface of the earth and all its natural resources
2: a portion of the earth's solid surface distinguishable by boundaries or ownership "bought ~ in the country": as a: country "campaigned across the ~" b: a rural area characterized by farming or ranching; also: farming or ranching as a way of life "wanted to move back to the ~"
3: realm, domain "in the ~ of dreams"--sometimes used in combination "televisionland"
4: the people of a country "the ~ rose in rebellion"
5: an area of a partly machined surface that is left without machining -- land.less adj -- land.less.ness n
[2]land vt (13c) 1: to set or put on shore from a ship: disembark
2. a: to set down after conveying b: to cause to reach or come to rest in a particular place "never ~ed a punch" c: to bring to a specified condition "his carelessness ~ed him in trouble" d: to bring (as an airplane) to a landing 3 a: to catch and bring in (as a fish) b: gain, secure "~ a job" ~ vi 1 a: to go ashore from a ship: disembark b of a ship or boat: to touch at a place on shore
2. a: to come to the end of a course or to a stage in a journey: arrive "took the wrong subway and ~ed on the other side of town" b: to come to be in a condition or situation "~ed in jail" c: to strike or meet a surface (as after a fall) "~ed on my head" d: to alight on a surface