earth

earth1 [ ɜrθ ] noun ***

1. ) Earth or earth singular or uncount the planet on which we live:

the planet Earth

the Earth: The Moon goes around the Earth.

the Earth's surface

on Earth: They studied life on Earth in all its forms.

a ) on/from the face of the earth on/from the whole of the earth:

These magnificent animals had vanished from the face of the earth.

2. ) the earth the land on which we live:

They felt the earth shaking beneath their feet.

a ) uncount the substance in which plants grow that covers most of the land: SOIL:

a pile of damp earth

The floor was bare earth.

3. ) count a hole in the ground where an animal such as a FOX lives

4. ) singular BRITISH GROUND in an electrical system

bring someone back down to earth (with a bump)

to make someone suddenly remember the real situation or things they have to do, after they have been so happy or excited that they forgot

come down/back to earth

to start normal life again after a time of great excitement or happiness

cost/pay the earth BRITISH INFORMAL

to cost/pay a very large amount of money

on earth

1. ) used for emphasizing that someone or something is the best, worst, biggest, etc. in the world:

The Great Wall is the largest man-made structure on earth.

2. ) nothing/nowhere etc. on earth used for adding emphasis to negative statements:

Nothing on earth could get me to speak to her.

There is no reason on earth why we shouldn't just leave.

3. ) what/why/how/where on earth SPOKEN used for adding emphasis to questions:

What on earth do you mean?

Why on earth would I want to work for you?

4. ) like nothing on earth INFORMAL very good or very bad:

The sound effects are like nothing on earth.

=> END1

earth

earth 2 [ ɜrθ ] verb transitive BRITISH

to GROUND a piece of electrical equipment