soil Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun the state of being covered with unclean things
grease; filth; dirt; grime; grunge; stain.
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noun the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
dirt.
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noun material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use)
land; ground.
- the land had never been plowed
- good agricultural soil
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noun the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state
territory.
- American troops were stationed on Japanese soil
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verb make soiled, filthy, or dirty
begrime; grime; bemire; dirty; colly.
- don't soil your clothes when you play outside!
WordNet
Soil transitive verb
Etymology
OF.Wordforms
Definitions
To feed, as cattle or horses, in the barn or an inclosure, with fresh grass or green food cut for them, instead of sending them out to pasture; hence (such food having the effect of purging them), to purge by feeding on green food; as, to .soil a horse
Soil noun
Etymology
OE.Definitions
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The upper stratum of the earth; the mold, or that compound substance which furnishes nutriment to plants, or which is particularly adapted to support and nourish them. -
Land; country. Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave Thee, native soil? Milton.
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Dung; fæces; compost; manure; as, night .soil Improve land by dung and other sort of soils. Mortimer.
Soil transitive verb
Definitions
To enrich with soil or muck; to manure. Men . . . soil their ground, not that they love the dirt, but that they expect a crop. South.
Soil noun
Etymology
OF.Definitions
A marshy or miry place to which a hunted boar resorts for refuge; hence, a wet place, stream, or tract of water, sought for by other game, as deer. As deer, being stuck, fly through many soils, Yet still the shaft sticks fast. Marston.
O, sir, have you taken soil here? It is well a man may reach you after three hours' running. B. Jonson.
Soil transitive verb
Etymology
OE.Definitions
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To make dirty or unclean on the surface; to foul; to dirty; to defile; as, to .soil a garment with dustOur wonted ornaments now soiled and stained. Milton.
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To stain or mar, as with infamy or disgrace; to tarnish; to sully. Shak.Syn. -- To foul; dirt; dirty; begrime; bemire; bespatter; besmear; daub; bedaub; stain; tarnish; sully; defile; pollute.
Soil intransitive verb
Definitions
To become soiled; as, light colors .soil sooner than dark ones
Soil noun
Etymology
SeeDefinitions
That which soils or pollutes; a soiled place; spot; stain. A lady's honor . . . will not bear a soil. Dryden.