soil

verb \ ˈsȯi(-ə)l \

Definition of soil

soiled; soiling; soils

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

Origin and Etymology of soil

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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soil

noun

Definition of soil

1 a : 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

First Known Use of soil

1501

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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soil

noun

Definition of soil

1 : firm land : earth

2 a : 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

Origin and Etymology of soil

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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