- earth
- I UK [ɜː(r)θ] / US [ɜrθ]
noun
Word forms "earth":
singular earth plural earths
***
1) Earth or earth[singular/uncountable] the planet on which we livethe Earth:the planet Earth
The Moon goes round the Earth.
on Earth:the Earth's surface
They studied life on Earth in all its forms.
2)a) the earth the land on which we liveThey felt the earth shaking beneath their feet.
b) [uncountable] the substance in which plants grow that covers most of the landa pile of damp earth
The floor was bare earth.
3) [countable] a hole in the ground where an animal such as a fox lives4) [singular] physics British the wire in a piece of electrical equipment that makes it safe by connecting it to the ground•bring someone back down to earth (with a bump)
— to make someone suddenly remember the real situation or things that they have to do, after they have been so happy or excited that they forgotLosing the match brought them back down to earth with a bump.
come down/back to earth
— to start normal life again after a time of great happiness or excitementon/from the face of the earth
— on/from the whole of the earthThese magnificent animals had vanished from the face of the earth.
run someone/something to earth
— British to find someone or something after a long search- on earthSee:cost II, end I
II UK [ɜː(r)θ] / US [ɜrθ] verb [transitive]
Word forms "earth":
present tense I/you/we/they earth he/she/it earths present participle earthing past tense earthed past participle earthed physics Britishto connect a piece of electrical equipment to the ground so that it is safePhrasal verbs:Make sure the machine is earthed properly.
- earth up
English dictionary. 2014.
