Quote[/b] ]soil – noun
1. the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus.
2. a particular kind of earth: sandy soil.
3. the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil.
4. a country, land, or region: an act committed on American soil.
5. the ground or earth: tilling the soil.
6. any place or condition providing the opportunity for growth or development: Some believe that poverty provides the soil for crime.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME soile < AF soyl < L solium seat, confused with solum ground]
—Related forms
soilless, adjective
earth - noun
6. soil and dirt, as distinguished from rock and sand; the softer part of the land.
dirt - noun
2. earth or soil, esp. when loose.
8. Mining.
a. crude, broken ore or waste.
b. (in placer mining) the material from which gold is separated by washing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.