earth

noun

1》 (also Earth) the planet on which we live, the third planet of the solar system in order of distance from the sun.

2》 the substance of the land surface; soil.

    ↘one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.

    ↘used in names of stable, dense, non-volatile inorganic substances, e.g. fuller's earth.

    ↘literary the substance of the human body: earth to earth, ashes to ashes.

3》 Brit. electrical connection to the ground, regarded as having zero electrical potential.

4》 the underground lair of a badger or fox.

verb

1》 Brit. connect (an electrical device) to earth.

2》 Hunting (of a fox) run to its earth.

Phrases

bring (or come) back (down) to earth cause to return (or return) to reality.

the earth chiefly Brit. a very large amount: her hat cost the earth.

go to earth go into hiding.

on earth used for emphasis: what on earth are you doing?

Derivatives

earthward adjective & adverb

earthwards adverb

Origin

OE eorthe, of Gmc origin.