Search results for 'ground¹':

ground¹ noun 1 the solid surface of the Earth, or any part of it; soil; land. 2 (often grounds) an area of land, usually extensive, attached to or surrounding a building. 3 an area of land used for a specified purpose • football ground. 4 distance covered or to be covered. 5 the substance of discussion • cover a lot of ground. 6 a position or standpoint, eg in an argument • stand or shift one's ground. 7 progress relative to that made by an opponent; advantage • lose or gain ground. 8 (usually grounds) a reason or justification. 9 art a the background in a painting; b a surface prepared specially before paint is applied. 10 N Amer, elec earth (noun 7). 11 (grounds) sediment or dregs, especially of coffee. 12 the bottom of the sea or a river. verb (grounded, grounding) 1 tr & intr to hit or cause (a ship) to hit the seabed or shore and remain stuck. 2 to refuse to allow (a pilot or aeroplane) to fly. 3 to forbid (eg teenagers) to go out socially as a punishment • Jane's been grounded for coming in late. 4 to lay (eg weapons) on the ground. 5 N Amer, elec to earth (verb 1). adj on or relating to the ground • ground forces. cut or take the ground from under someone's feet to act in anticipation of someone's plan, etc, destroying its effect. down to the ground colloq absolutely; completely • suits me down to the ground. give ground to give way; to retreat. go to ground 1 said of an animal: to go into a burrow to escape from hunters. 2 to go into hiding, eg from the police. into the ground to the point of exhaustion; to a position of total defeat. off the ground started; under way • still can't get the project off the ground. on firm or shaky ground in a strong or weak position. on the ground amongst ordinary people • opinion on the ground. on the ground floor on the same terms as the original promoters, or at the start (eg of a business venture).
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon as grund, in sense 12.

ground¹ noun 1 the solid surface of the Earth, or any part of it; soil; land. 2 (often grounds) an area of land, usually extensive, attached to or surrounding a building. 3 an area of land used for a specified purpose • football ground. 4 distance covered or to be covered. 5 the substance of discussion • cover a lot of ground. 6 a position or standpoint, eg in an argument • stand or shift one's ground. 7 progress relative to that made by an opponent; advantage • lose or gain ground. 8 (usually grounds) a reason or justification. 9 art a the background in a painting; b a surface prepared specially before paint is applied. 10 N Amer, elec earth (noun 7). 11 (grounds) sediment or dregs, especially of coffee. 12 the bottom of the sea or a river. verb (grounded, grounding) 1 tr & intr to hit or cause (a ship) to hit the seabed or shore and remain stuck. 2 to refuse to allow (a pilot or aeroplane) to fly. 3 to forbid (eg teenagers) to go out socially as a punishment • Jane's been grounded for coming in late. 4 to lay (eg weapons) on the ground. 5 N Amer, elec to earth (verb 1). adj on or relating to the ground • ground forces. cut or take the ground from under someone's feet to act in anticipation of someone's plan, etc, destroying its effect. down to the ground colloq absolutely; completely • suits me down to the ground. give ground to give way; to retreat. go to ground 1 said of an animal: to go into a burrow to escape from hunters. 2 to go into hiding, eg from the police. into the ground to the point of exhaustion; to a position of total defeat. off the ground started; under way • still can't get the project off the ground. on firm or shaky ground in a strong or weak position. on the ground amongst ordinary people • opinion on the ground. on the ground floor on the same terms as the original promoters, or at the start (eg of a business venture).
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon as grund, in sense 12.

ground¹ noun 1 the solid surface of the Earth, or any part of it; soil; land. 2 (often grounds) an area of land, usually extensive, attached to or surrounding a building. 3 an area of land used for a specified purpose • football ground. 4 distance covered or to be covered. 5 the substance of discussion • cover a lot of ground. 6 a position or standpoint, eg in an argument • stand or shift one's ground. 7 progress relative to that made by an opponent; advantage • lose or gain ground. 8 (usually grounds) a reason or justification. 9 art a the background in a painting; b a surface prepared specially before paint is applied. 10 N Amer, elec earth (noun 7). 11 (grounds) sediment or dregs, especially of coffee. 12 the bottom of the sea or a river. verb (grounded, grounding) 1 tr & intr to hit or cause (a ship) to hit the seabed or shore and remain stuck. 2 to refuse to allow (a pilot or aeroplane) to fly. 3 to forbid (eg teenagers) to go out socially as a punishment • Jane's been grounded for coming in late. 4 to lay (eg weapons) on the ground. 5 N Amer, elec to earth (verb 1). adj on or relating to the ground • ground forces. cut or take the ground from under someone's feet to act in anticipation of someone's plan, etc, destroying its effect. down to the ground colloq absolutely; completely • suits me down to the ground. give ground to give way; to retreat. go to ground 1 said of an animal: to go into a burrow to escape from hunters. 2 to go into hiding, eg from the police. into the ground to the point of exhaustion; to a position of total defeat. off the ground started; under way • still can't get the project off the ground. on firm or shaky ground in a strong or weak position. on the ground amongst ordinary people • opinion on the ground. on the ground floor on the same terms as the original promoters, or at the start (eg of a business venture).
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon as grund, in sense 12.