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 soil2: the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life — compare heaven, hell3 a: areas of land as distinguished from sea and air b: the solid footing formed of soil : ground4often capitalized : the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun — see planet table5 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 concerns6: the lair of a burrowing animal7: 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>