1 (also Earth) the planet on which we live; the world:the diversity of life on earth
the surface of the world as distinct from the sky or the sea:the pilot brought the plane gently back to earth
the present abode of humankind, as distinct from heaven or hell:God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven
2 [mass noun] the substance of the land surface; soil:a layer of earth
[count noun] used in names of stable, dense, non-volatile inorganic substances, e.g. fuller’s earth:these crayons are made with a mixture of native earths plus softeners such as China clay
literary the substance of the human body:we now commit his body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust
3 [mass noun]British electrical connection to the ground, regarded as having zero electrical potential:ensure metal fittings are electrically bonded to earth
4the underground lair of a badger or fox.
5one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology (considered essential to the nature of the signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn): [as modifier]:an earth sign
ზმნა
Universal
1British connect (an electrical device) with the ground:the front metal panels must be soundly earthed
2 Hunting drive (a fox) to its underground lair.
[no object] (of a fox) run to its underground lair.
3 (earth something up) cover the root and lower stem of a plant with heaped-up earth:the stems can be earthed up when the plant is about one foot high
come (or bring someone) back (down) to earth
return (or cause someone to return) to reality after a period of daydreaming or excitement:a sharp knock at the door brought him back to earth
the earth
British a very large amount:her hat cost the earth
the earth moved (or did the earth move for you?)
humorous one had (or did you have?) an orgasm.
go to earth
(of a hunted animal) hide in an underground burrow:the fox would go to earth and stay there till dark
go into hiding:he’d gone to earth after that meeting
like nothing on earth
informal very strange:they looked like nothing on earth
on earth
used for emphasis, especially in questions and negative statements:who on earth would venture out in weather like this?
