soil
1
[ soil ]
/ sɔɪl /
noun
the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus.
a particular kind of earth: sandy soil.
the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil.
a country, land, or region: an act committed on American soil.
the ground or earth: tilling the soil.
any place or condition providing the opportunity for growth or development: Some believe that poverty provides the soil for crime.
Origin of soil
1
1300–50; Middle English
soile < Anglo-French
soyl < Latin
solium seat, confused with
solum ground
OTHER WORDS FROM soil
soil·less, adjectiveWords nearby soil
Definition for soil (2 of 3)
soil
2
[ soil ]
/ sɔɪl /
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to become soiled: White soils easily.
noun
Origin of soil
2
1175–1225; Middle English
soilen (v.) < Old French
souiller, soillier to dirty < Vulgar Latin
*suculāre, equivalent to
sū(s) pig +
-cul(us)
-cle1 +
-āre infinitive ending
Definition for soil (3 of 3)
soil
3
[ soil ]
/ sɔɪl /
verb (used with object)
to feed (confined cattle, horses, etc.) freshly cut green fodder for roughage.
Origin of soil
3
First recorded in 1595–1605; origin uncertain
Example sentences from the Web for soil
British Dictionary definitions for soil (1 of 3)
soil
1
/ (sɔɪl) /
noun
the top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of disintegrated rock particles, humus, water, and air
See zonal soil, azonal soil, intrazonal soil, horizon (def. 4), horizon (def. 5) Related adjective: telluric
a type of this material having specific characteristics
loamy soil
land, country, or region
one's native soil
the soil
life and work on a farm; land
he belonged to the soil, as his forefathers had
any place or thing encouraging growth or development
Word Origin for soil
C14: from Anglo-Norman, from Latin
solium a seat, but confused with Latin
solum the ground
British Dictionary definitions for soil (2 of 3)
soil
2
/ (sɔɪl) /
verb
to make or become dirty or stained
(tr)
to pollute with sin or disgrace; sully; defile
he soiled the family honour by his cowardice
noun
the state or result of soiling
refuse, manure, or excrement
Word Origin for soil
C13: from Old French
soillier to defile, from
soil pigsty, probably from Latin
sūs a swine
British Dictionary definitions for soil (3 of 3)
soil
3
/ (sɔɪl) /
verb
(tr)
to feed (livestock) freshly cut green fodder either to fatten or purge them
Word Origin for soil
C17: perhaps from obsolete vb (C16)
soil to manure, from
soil ² (n)
Scientific definitions for soil
soil
[ soil ]
The loose top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter (humus), and capable of retaining water, providing nutrients for plants, and supporting a wide range of biotic communities. Soil is formed by a combination of depositional, chemical, and biological processes and plays an important role in the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Soil types vary widely from one region to another, depending on the type of bedrock they overlie and the climate in which they form. In wet and humid regions, for example, soils tend to be thicker than they do in dry regions. See more at A horizon B horizon C horizon. See illustration at ABC soil.
Cultural definitions for soil
notes for soil
Soil is produced by the
weathering of rocks.