| earth wax | A natural mixture of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight; a substitute for beeswax, also used in dentistry for impressions. Synonym: cerin, cerosin, earth wax, mineral wax, purified ozokerite. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| earth-eating | Geophagismgeophagy The practice of eating dirt or clay. Synonym: dirt-eating, earth-eating. Origin: Geo-+ G. Phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| earth-tongue | <botany> A fungus of the genus Geoglossum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthboard | <agriculture> The part of a plow, or other implement, that turns over the earth; the moldboard. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthen-hearted | Hard-hearted; sordid; gross. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthly | 1. Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal; worldly; as, earthly joys; earthly flowers; earthly praise. "This earthly load Of death, called life." (Milton) "Whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. Iii. 19) 2. Of all things on earth; possible; conceivable. "What earthly benefit can be the result?" (Pope) 3. Made of earth; earthy. Synonym: Gross, material, sordid, mean, base, vile, low, unsubstantial, temporary, corrupt, groveling. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthmad | <zoology> The earthworm. "The earthmads and all the sorts of worms . . . Are without eyes." (Holland) Origin: Earth + mad an earthworm. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthnut | <botany> A name given to various roots, tubers, or pods grown under or on the ground; as to: The esculent tubers of the umbelliferous plants Bunium flexuosum and Carum Bulbocastanum. The peanut. See Peanut. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthpea | <botany> A species of pea (Amphicarpaea monoica). It is a climbing leguminous plant, with hairy underground pods. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthquake | A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock. Earthquake alarm, a bell signal constructed to operate on the theory that a few seconds before the occurrence of an earthquake the magnet temporarily loses its power. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthstar | <botany> A curious fungus of the genus Geaster, in which the outer coating splits into the shape of a star, and the inner one forms a ball containing the dustlike spores. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthworm | 1. <zoology> Any worm of the genus Lumbricus and allied genera, found in damp soil. One of the largest and most abundant species in Europe and America is L. Terrestris; many others are known; called also angleworm and dewworm. 2. A mean, sordid person; a niggard. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthy | 1. Consisting of, or resembling, earth; terrene; earthlike; as, earthy matter. "How pale she looks, And of an earthy cold!" (Shak) "All over earthy, like a piece of earth." (Tennyson) 2. Of or pertaining to the earth or to, this world; earthly; terrestrial; carnal. "Their earthy charge." "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy." (1 Cor. Xv. 47, 48 (Rev. Ver)) "Earthy spirits black and envious are." (Dryden) 3. Gross; low; unrefined. "Her earthy and abhorred commands." 4. <chemical> Without luster, or dull and roughish to the touch; as, an earthy fracture. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthy water | A water containing a large amount of mineral matter, chiefly sulfate, in solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| earwig | 1. <zoology> Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera. 2. <zoology> In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, especially. Of the genus Geophilus. Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear. 3. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Origin: AS. Earwicga; eare ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. Erri-wiggle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |