soil

soil¹ W2 [sɔıl] n

[Date: 1200-1300; : Anglo-French; Origin: 'piece of ground', from Latin solium 'seat'; influenced by Latin solum 'ground, soil']

1.) [U and C]

the top layer of the earth in which plants grow

= ↑earth

▪ The soil here is very poor.

▪ The bush grows well in a sandy soil.

see usage note ↑ground¹

2.) on British/French/foreign etc soil

formal in Britain, France etc

▪ The crime was committed on American soil.

3.) [U]

a place or situation where something can develop

▪ Eastern Europe provided fertile soil for political activists.

4.) sb's native soil

literary your own country

5.) the soil

literary farming as a job or way of life

▪ They make their living from the soil.

soil ²

soil² v [T]

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: soiller, from soil 'pigsty', probably from Latin suile, from sus 'pig']

1.) formal to make something dirty, especially with waste from your body

2.) not soil your hands

to not do something because you consider it too unpleasant or dishonest

▪ Keep your money - I wouldn't soil my hands with it.

>soiled adj

▪ soiled diapers