Ground

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ɡɹaʊnd/

Definitions

1. The solid surface forming the earth's outer layer ; the justification or cause for an action or belief ; a domain of knowledge, interest, or debate ; material that has been reduced to small particles by crushing
2. The land or soil beneath feet or objects ; a basis or foundation for reasoning or action ; a field or scope of activity or expertise ; particles broken down from larger solids into a powdery form
3. The earth's outer layer on which people stand or objects rest ; a principle or rationale underlying something ; an area or topic of discussion or practice ; finely milled substance created by grinding or crushing

Etymology: Old English "grund" meant the bottom or base of something, and the same root survives in Dutch "grond," which means soil, and German "Grund," which means reason or foundation. English kept both threads, using the word for the earth underfoot and for the basis of an argument or action. Behind the Old English form lie the Proto-West Germanic and Proto-Germanic forms, which point to a shared Germanic ancestor. The word reached Middle English in the familiar shape "ground," and it has kept its core idea of a lowest, supporting layer. The past participle of "grind" is spelled the same way, but it comes from a different source, so the match is coincidence.

Synonyms: earth, soil, land, terrain, floor

Antonyms: sky, air, heavens, space, up