n. & v.
--n.
1. the solid part of the earth's surface (opp. SEA, WATER, AIR).
2 a an expanse of country; ground; soil. b such land in relation to its use, quality, etc., or (often prec. by the) as a basis for agriculture (building land; this is good land; works on the land).
3 a country, nation, or State (land of hope and glory).
4 a landed property. b (in pl.) estates.
5 the space between the rifling-grooves in a gun.
6 Sc. a building containing several dwellings.
7 S.Afr. ground fenced off for tillage.
8 a strip of plough or pasture land parted from others by drain-furrows.
--v.
1. a tr. & intr. set or go ashore. b intr. (often foll. by at) disembark (landed at the harbour).
2 tr. bring (an aircraft, its passengers, etc.) to the ground or the surface of water.
3 intr. (of an aircraft, bird, parachutist, etc.) alight on the ground or water.
4 tr. bring (a fish) to land.
5 tr. & intr. (also refl.; often foll. by up) colloq. bring to, reach, or find oneself in a certain situation, place, or state (landed himself in jail; landed up in France; landed her in trouble; landed up penniless).
6 tr. colloq. a deal (a person etc.) a blow etc. (landed him one in the eye). b (foll. by with) present (a person) with (a problem, job, etc.).
7 tr. set down (a person, cargo, etc.) from a vehicle, ship, etc.
8 tr. colloq. win or obtain (a prize, job, etc.) esp. against strong competition.
Phrases and idioms:
how the land lies what is the state of affairs. in the land of the living joc. still alive. land-agency
1. the stewardship of an estate.
2 an agency for the sale etc. of estates.
land-agent
1. the steward of an estate.
2 an agent for the sale of estates. land-bank a bank issuing banknotes on the securities of landed property. land breeze a breeze blowing towards the sea from the land, esp. at night. land-bridge a neck of land joining two large land masses. land-crab a crab, Cardisoma guanhumi, that lives in burrows inland and migrates in large numbers to the sea to breed. land force (or forces) armies, not naval or air forces. land-form a natural feature of the earth's surface. land-girl Brit. a woman doing farm work, esp. in wartime. land-grabber an illegal seizer of land, esp. a person who took the land of an evicted Irish tenant. land-law (usu. in pl.) the law of landed property. land-line a means of telecommunication over land. land-locked almost or entirely enclosed by land. land mass a large area of land.
land-mine
1. an explosive mine laid in or on the ground.
2 a parachute mine. land of cakes Scotland. land office US an office recording dealings in public land. land-office business US enormous trade. land of Nod sleep (with pun on the phr. in Gen. 4:16). land on one's feet attain a good position, job, etc., by luck. Land's End the westernmost point of Cornwall and of England. land-tax hist. a tax assessed on landed property. land-tie a rod, beam, or piece of masonry securing or supporting a wall etc. by connecting it with the ground. land-wind a wind blowing seaward from the land. land yacht a vehicle with wheels and sails for recreational use on a beach etc.
Derivatives:
lander n. landless adj. landward adj. & adv. landwards adv.
Etymology: OE f. Gmc