Main Entry: ¹land

Pronunciation: \ˈland\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lant land, Middle Irish lann

Date: before 12th century

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 land> 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 land in the country>: as a : country <the finest cheese in all the land> b : a rural area characterized by farming or ranching; also : farming or ranching as a way of life <wanted to move back to the land>
3 : realm, domain <in the land of dreams> —sometimes used in combination <TV-land>
4 : the people of a country <the land rose in rebellion>
5 : an area of a partly machined surface (as the inside of a gun barrel) that is left without machining

— land·less \ˈland-ləs\ adjective

— land·less·ness \-nəs\ noun