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 resources2: 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