Main Entry: ¹ground

Pronunciation: \ˈgrau̇nd\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English grund; akin to Old High German grunt ground

Date: before 12th century

1 a : the bottom of a body of water b plural (1) : sediment 1 (2) : ground coffee beans after brewing
2 a : a basis for belief, action, or argument <ground for complaint> —often used in plural <sufficient grounds for divorce> b (1) : a fundamental logical condition (2) : a basic metaphysical cause
3 a : a surrounding area : background b : material that serves as a substratum
4 a : the surface of the earth b : an area used for a particular purpose <the parade ground> <fishing grounds> c plural : the area around and belonging to a house or other building d : an area to be won or defended in or as if in battle e : an area of knowledge or special interest <covered a lot of ground in his lecture>
5 a : soil, earth b : a special soil
6 a : an object that makes an electrical connection with the earth b : a large conducting body (as the earth) used as a common return for an electric circuit and as an arbitrary zero of potential c : electric connection with a ground
7 : a football offense utilizing primarily running plays

— from the ground up 1 : entirely new or afresh
2 : from top to bottom : thoroughly

— into the ground : beyond what is necessary or tolerable : to exhaustion <labored an issue into the ground — Newsweek>

— off the ground : in or as if in flight : off to a good start <the program never got off the ground>

— on the ground : at the scene of action

— to ground 1 : into a burrow <the fox went to ground>
2 : into hiding <might need to make a run for it and go to ground someplace — Edward Hoagland>