I. ˈərth 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 -ˌlīk adjective
•
- on earth
II. verb
Date: 1575
transitive verb
1. : to drive to hiding in the earth
2. : to draw soil about (plants) — often used with up
3. chiefly British : ground 3
intransitive verb
of a hunted animal : to hide in the ground