soil

verb (1)

\ˈsȯi(-ə)l

soiled; soiling; soils

Definition of soil

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to stain or defile morally : corrupt

2 : to make unclean especially superficially : dirty

3 : to blacken or taint (something, such as a person's reputation) by word or deed

intransitive verb

: to become soiled or dirty

soil

noun (1)

Definition of soil (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : soilage, stain protect a dress from soil

b : moral defilement : corruption

2 : something that spoils or pollutes: such as

a : refuse

b : sewage

c : dung, excrement

soil

noun (2)

Definition of soil (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : firm land : earth

2a : the upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in which plants grow

b : the superficial unconsolidated and usually weathered part of the mantle of a planet and especially of the earth

3 : country, land our native soil

4 : the agricultural life or calling

5 : a medium in which something takes hold and develops

soil

verb (2)

soiled; soiling; soils

Definition of soil (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to feed (livestock) in the barn or an enclosure with fresh grass or green food also : to purge (livestock) by feeding on green food

First Known Use of soil

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for soil

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French soiller, suiller, from Old French soil wallow of a wild boar, abyss, from Latin solium chair, bathtub; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, soil, piece of land, from Vulgar Latin *solium, alteration of Latin solea sole, sandal, foundation timber — more at sole

Verb (2)

origin unknown

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