Main Entry: ¹earth

Pronunciation: \ˈərth\

Function: 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 —used as an intensive <to find out what on earth he was up to — Michael Holroyd>