I. ˈfēld noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feld; akin to Old High German feld field, Old English flōr floor — more at floor
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : an open land area free of woods and buildings
(2) : an area of land marked by the presence of particular objects or features
dune field s
b.
(1) : an area of cleared enclosed land used for cultivation or pasture
a field of wheat
(2) : land containing a natural resource
(3) : airfield
c. : the place where a battle is fought ; also : battle
d. : a large unbroken expanse (as of ice)
2.
a. : an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession
b. : the sphere of practical operation outside a base (as a laboratory, office, or factory)
geologists working in the field
c. : an area for military exercises or maneuvers
d.
(1) : an area constructed, equipped, or marked for sports
(2) : the portion of an indoor or outdoor sports area enclosed by the running track and on which field events are conducted
(3) : any of the three sections of a baseball outfield
hits to all field s
3. : a space on which something is drawn or projected: as
a. : the space on the surface of a coin, medal, or seal that does not contain the design
b. : the ground of each division in a flag
c. : the whole surface of an escutcheon
4. : the individuals that make up all or part of the participants in a contest ; especially : all participants with the exception of the favorite or the winner in a contest where more than two are entered
5. : the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument
6.
a. : a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists
b. : a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular type of differentiation
a morphogenetic field
7. : a set of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary operations the second of which is distributive relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative group under the first operation and also under the second if the zero or unit element under the first is omitted
8. : a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior
9. : a series of drain tiles and an absorption area for septic-tank outflow
10. : a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which the same type of information is regularly recorded
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- from the field
II. adjective
Date: 12th century
: of or relating to a field: as
a. : growing in or inhabiting the fields or open country
b. : made, conducted, or used in the field
c. : operating or active in the field
III. verb
Date: 1823
transitive verb
1.
a. : to catch or pick up (as a batted ball) and usually throw to a teammate
b. : to take care of or respond to (as a telephone call or a request)
c. : to give an impromptu answer or solution to
the senator field ed the reporters' questions
2. : to put into the field
field an army
field a team
also : to enter in competition
intransitive verb
: to play as a fielder