- ground
- groundground1 [ground]n.[ME grund < OE, ground, bottom, akin to Ger grund, ON grunnr: for IE base see GRIND]1.a) Obs. the lowest part, base, or bottom of anythingb) the bottom of a body of water2. the surface of the earth, specif. the solid surface3. the soil of the earth; earth; land4.a) any particular piece of land; esp., one set aside for a specified purpose [a hunting ground]b) [pl.] land surrounding or attached to a house or other building; esp., the lawns, garden, etc. of an estate5. any particular area of reference, discussion, work, etc.; topic; subject [arguments covering the same ground]6. [often pl.] basis; foundation7. the logical basis of a conclusion, action, etc.; valid reason, motive, or cause often used in pl.8. the background or surface over which other parts are spread or laid, as the main surface of a painting9. [pl.] the particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid; dregs; sediment [coffee grounds]10. Elec.a) a conducting body (as the earth, or an object connected with the earth) whose potential is taken as zero and to which an electric circuit can be connectedb) the connection of an electrical conductor with a groundc) a device, as a stake, iron pipe, etc., that makes such a connectionadj.1. of, on, or near the ground2. growing or living in or on the ground☆ 3. Football designating the part of the offensive game plan using running playsvt.1. to set on, or cause to touch, the ground2. to cause (a ship, etc.) to run aground3. to found on a firm basis; establish4. to base (a claim, argument, etc.) on something specified5. to instruct (a person) in the elements or first principles of6. to provide with a background7.a) to keep (an aircraft or pilot) from flying☆ b) Informal to punish (a young person, esp. a teenager) by not permitting him or her to leave home to engage in social activity8. Elec. to connect (an electrical conductor) to a ground☆ 9. Football to throw or knock (an opposing player) to the groundvi.1. to strike the bottom or run ashore: said of a ship☆ 2. Baseballa) to hit a grounderb) to be put out on a grounder: usually with out☆ 3. Football to throw an incomplete pass intentionally, to avoid being sacked——————break ground1. to dig; excavate2. to plow3. to start building4. to start any undertaking——————break new groundto innovate or pioneer——————cover ground1. to move or traverse a certain distance2. to make a certain amount of progress——————cut the ground from under someone or cut the ground from under someone's feetto deprive someone of effective defense or argument——————☆ from the ground upfrom the first or elementary principles, methods, etc. to the last or most advanced; completely; thoroughly——————gain ground1. to move forward2. to make progress3. to gain in strength, extent, popularity, etc.——————☆ get off the groundto get (something) started; begin or cause to begin to make progress——————give groundto withdraw under attack; retreat; yield——————go to groundChiefly Brit. to go into hiding or seclusion——————hold one's ground or stand one's groundto keep one's position against attack or opposition; not withdraw or retreat——————lose ground1. to drop back; fall behind2. to lose in strength, extent, popularity, etc.——————on delicate groundin a situation requiring tact——————on firm ground1. in a safe situation2. firmly supported by facts or evidence——————on one's own ground1. dealing with a situation or subject that one knows well2. at home——————☆ run into the groundInformal to do too long or too often; overdo——————shift one's groundto change one's argument or defense——————suit right down to the ground or suit down to the groundInformal to suit completelyground2 [ground]vt., vi.pt. & pp. of GRIND
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.
