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ground¹ Definition

ground (gro̵und)

noun

    1. Obsolete the lowest part, base, or bottom of anything
    2. the bottom of a body of water
  2. the surface of the earth, specif. the solid surface
  3. the soil of the earth; earth; land
    1. any particular piece of land; esp., one set aside for a specified purpose a hunting ground
    2. land surrounding or attached to a house or other building; esp., the lawns, garden, etc. of an estate
  5. any particular area of reference, discussion, work, etc.; topic; subject arguments covering the same ground
  6. basis; foundation
  7. 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 painting
  9. the particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid; dregs; sediment coffee grounds
  10. Elec.
    1. 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 connected
    2. the connection of an electrical conductor with a ground
    3. a device, as a stake, iron pipe, etc., that makes such a connection

Etymology: ME grund < OE, ground, bottom, akin to Ger grund, ON grunnr: for IE base see grind

adjective

  1. of, on, or near the ground
  2. growing or living in or on the ground
  3. ☆ Football designating the part of the offensive game plan using running plays

transitive verb

  1. to set on, or cause to touch, the ground
  2. to cause (a ship, etc.) to run aground
  3. to found on a firm basis; establish
  4. to base (a claim, argument, etc.) on something specified
  5. to instruct (a person) in the elements or first principles of
  6. to provide with a background
    1. to keep (an aircraft or pilot) from flying
    2. ☆ Informal to punish (a young person, esp. a teenager) by not permitting him or her to leave home to engage in social activity
  8. Elec. to connect (an electrical conductor) to a ground
  9. ☆ Football to throw or knock (an opposing player) to the ground

intransitive verb

  1. to strike the bottom or run ashore: said of a ship
  2. ☆ Baseball
    1. to hit a grounder
    2. to be put out on a grounder: usually with out
  3. ☆ Football to throw an incomplete pass intentionally, to avoid being sacked

ground¹ Idioms

break ground

  1. to dig; excavate
  2. to plow
  3. to start building
  4. to start any undertaking

break new ground

to innovate or pioneer

cover ground

  1. to move or traverse a certain distance
  2. to make a certain amount of progress

cut the ground from under someone

to deprive someone of effective defense or argument

from the ground up

☆

from the first or elementary principles, methods, etc. to the last or most advanced; completely; thoroughly

gain ground

  1. to move forward
  2. to make progress
  3. to gain in strength, extent, popularity, etc.

get off the ground

☆

to get (something) started; begin or cause to begin to make progress

give ground

to withdraw under attack; retreat; yield

go to ground

Chiefly Brit. to go into hiding or seclusion

hold one's ground

to keep one's position against attack or opposition; not withdraw or retreat

lose ground

  1. to drop back; fall behind
  2. to lose in strength, extent, popularity, etc.

on delicate ground

in a situation requiring tact

on firm ground

  1. in a safe situation
  2. firmly supported by facts or evidence

on one's own ground

  1. dealing with a situation or subject that one knows well
  2. at home

run into the ground

☆

Informal to do too long or too often; overdo

shift one's ground

to change one's argument or defense

suit (right) down to the ground

Informal to suit completely

ground² Definition

ground (gro̵und)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

grind

ground Synonyms

ground

n.

  1. Soil

    sand, dirt, soil; see earth 2.

  2. An area

    spot, terrain, territory; see area 2.

break ground

start, initiate, commence; see begin 1.

cover ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

cut the ground from under one <strong>or </strong>one's feet*

deprive, prove wrong, talk down; see defeat 1.

from the ground up

thoroughly, wholly, entirely; see completely.

gain ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

get off the ground*

start, commence, come into being; see begin 2.

give ground

withdraw, yield, retire; see retreat 1.

hold <strong>or </strong>stand one's ground

maintain one's position, defend, sustain, dig in one's heels; see endure 2.

lose ground

withdraw, fall behind, drop back; see lag 1.

on delicate ground

in a sensitive position, unsteady, insecure; see weak 3, 6.

on firm ground

reliable, secure, supported; see safe 1.

on one's own ground*

comfortable in, capable, proficient; see able 1, 2.

on shaky ground*

uncertain, unreliable, weak; see inadequate 1.

run into the ground*

exaggerate, do too much, press; see overdo 1.

suit (right) down to the ground*

suit, be suitable for, be appropriate for, fulfill; see fit 1, 2.

ground Synonyms

ground

v.

  1. To bring to the ground

    floor, bring down, prostrate; see fell.

  2. To restrict

    cause to remain on the ground, bar from flying, take wings away, prevent from driving*, confine to one's home; see also restrict 2.

  3. To instruct in essentials

    train, indoctrinate, educate; see teach 1.

ground Telecom Definition
A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, by which an electric circuit is connected at some point to the earth, or to some other large conducting body that can serve in place of the earth. The point can be a single point common to a great many circuits, such as an equipment frame, chassis, or cabinet. A ground serves as a reference point, a return path for an electrical signal, and to carry current safely away from a circuit in the event of a fault. In the event that earth is not available as a ground, the conducting frame of an aircraft, spacecraft, or land vehicle not conductively connected to the earth can serve as ground. See also circuit, current, electricity, and signal.
ground Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • a34: The club is situated next to the Tennis Courts at the Sports and Social club ground on the A34 just outside Henley.

Preposition: for

  • divorce: Any arrival can guarantee a late night, and the quiz issue could be grounds for divorce.

Adjective modifier

  • fertile: The USA has already proved fertile ground for education reformers who believe in choice.
  • common: The game itself merely provides a context; common ground where things happen to players.
  • middle: In addition, there are middle ground or standard policies.
  • rough: The result is a perfect balance between easy riding, controlled braking and effective damping over rough ground.
  • moral: Somehow or other they claim to have the moral high ground.

Converse of object

  • breed: The large amounts of ammonia in the slurry become breeding ground for bacteria, which turn it into acid.
  • dump: Or are we just a dumping ground for lost souls?
  • break: It could never break the ground of the first series - it's a sequel!
  • hit: Each time the foot hits the ground, the tension causes the fascia to pull at the heel.

Modifies a noun

  • floor: Our office is located on the ground floor adjacent to the main road.
  • flora: If the ground flora dies away, those with the ability to reach a little higher will survive.

Preposition: of

  • orientation: It also excludes protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation with regard to housing, goods and services and education.

Noun used with modifier

  • burial: The burial ground is is of considerable extent, having been recently much enlarged.
  • recreation: Many of these overlook the Fairfield recreation ground to the south of the town.
  • cricket: Budget hotel in the Headingley area of Leeds near the cricket ground.
  • hunting: Regent's Park One of Henry VIII's hunting grounds.
  • breeding: Refuse areas are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of pests.
  • football: It's never been an issue except occasionally inside football grounds where certain fans can be, erm, a bit nasty.
ground Quotes

For lawful power is still superior found, When long driven back, at length it stands the ground.

—Dryden,John

I want to be progressive without getting both feet off the ground at the same time†a progressive who is prudent.

—Johnson, Lyndon B(aines) also called LBJ

If I laugh on that particular day I become so filled with Laughing Gas that I simply can't keep on the ground. Even if I smile it happens.The first funny thought, and I'm up like a balloon. And until I can thinkof something serious I can't get down again.

—Travers, P(amela) L(yndon)

It is ambition enough to be employed as an under- labourer in clearing ground a little, and removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way to knowledge. 514

—Locke,John

We therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope ofthe Resurrectionto eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Book of Common Prayer

And unto Adam he said,Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which Icommandedthee, saying,Thoushalt noteatof it: cursed istheground for thysake; insorrowshaltthoueat of it all the days of thy life.

—Bible (Old Testament)

There may be dead ground in between; and I may not have got The knack of judging a distance; I will only venture A guess that perhaps between me and the apparent lovers, (Who, incidentally, appear by now to have finished,) At seven o'clock from the houses, is roughly a distance Of about one year and a half.

—Reed, Henry

Ethereal minstrel! pilgrim of the sky! Dost thou despise the earth where cares abound? Or, while the wings aspire, are heart and eye Both with thy nest upon the dewy ground?

—Wordsworth,William

Le Poe'  te est semblable au prince des nue¤  es Qui hante la tempe"  te et se rit de l'archer; Exile¤   sur le sol au milieu des hue¤  es, Ses ailes de ge¤  ant l'empe"  chent de marcher. The Poet is like that prince of the clouds Who haunts the storms and laughs at the archer; Exiled to the ground in the midst of jeers, Hisgiant wings prevent him from walking.

—Baudelaire, Charles

If you feel that you have both feet planted on level ground, then the university has failed you.

—Goheen, Robert F(rancis)

Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste; And all amid them stood theTree of Life, High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit Of vegetable gold; and next to life Our death theTree of Knowledge grew fast by, Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill.

—Milton,John

Suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be enquired how the watch happened to be in that place† The inference, we think, is inevitable; that the watch must have had a maker, that there must have existed, at some time and at some place or other, an artificer or artificers, who formed it for the purpose whichwe find it actually toanswer; who comprehended its construction, and designed its use.

—Paley,William

He who slings mud generally loses ground.

—Stevenson, Adlai E(wing)

Jogging isvery beneficial.It'sverygood for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.

—Schulz, Charles Monroe

The ground is like a beautiful woman. If you treat her gently, she'll tell you all her secrets.

—Snow, Clyde Collins

I have a feeling I'm falling on rare occasions but most of the time I have my feet on the ground I can't help it if the ground itself is falling.

—Ferlinghetti, Lawrence

Ye valleys low where the mild whispers use, Of shades and wanton winds, and gushing brooks, On whose fresh lap the swart star sparely looks, Throw hither all your quaint enameled eyes, That on the green turf such the honeyed showers, And purple all the ground with vernal flowers.

—Milton,John

And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.

—Swift,Jonathan

If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.

—Epstein,JuliusJ

Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air, In his own ground.

—Pope, Alexander

Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought Mosaic; underfoot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone Of costliest emblem: other creature here Beast, bird, insect, or worm durst enter none; Such was their awe of man.

—Milton,John

The Kamikaze Ground Staff Re-union Dinner.

—Parker, Stewart

Come, knit hands, and beat the ground, In a light fantastic round.

—Milton,John

  Unrecorded, unrenowned, Men from whom my ways begin, Here I know you by your ground But I know you not withinö There is silence, there survives Not a moment of your lives.

—Blunden, Edmund Charles

Lytle hwile leof beoth grene thonne hie eft fealewiath, feallath on eorthan and forweorniath weorthiath to duste. For a little while the leaves are green. Then they turn yellow, fall to the ground, and perish, turning to dust.

—Anonymous

I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible.From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.

—Owens,JesseJames Cleveland

The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground: yea, I have a goodly heritage. See Kipling 473:53.

—Book of Common Prayer

Qui jacet in terra non habet unde cadat. He who is lying on the ground has nowhere to fall.

—Alan of Lille also known as  'Alanus de Insulis'

   Leonora, Leonora, How the word rollsöLeonoraö Lion-like, in full-mouthed sound, Marching o'er the metric ground With a tawny tread sublime; So your name moves, Leonora, Down my desert rhyme.

—Craik, Dinah Maria ne¤  e Mulock

For the normal business of living man is most at ease on the ground.

—Allsop, (Harold) Bruce

It's a pity others had to leave theirs on the ground at Goose Green to prove it.

—Kinnock, Neil Gordon

   And he said,Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Resources left in the ground are saved, not lost.

—Brody, Hugh

Les vrais philosophes sont comme les e¤  le¤  phants, qui en marchant ne posent jamais le second pied a'   terre que le premier ne soit bien affermi. True philosophers are like elephants, who when walking never placetheir second footontheground untilthefirst is steady.

—Fontenelle, Bernard le Bovier de

He will give himseven feet of English ground, oras much more as he may be taller than other men.

—Harold II

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!

—Parker,John

As for style of writingöif one has anything to say, it drops from him simply and directly, as a stone falls to the ground.

—Thoreau, Henry David

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha, and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Alas, alas, who's injured by my love? What merchant's ships have my sighs drowned? Who says my tears have overflowed his ground? When did my colds a forward spring remove? When did the heats which my veins fill Add one more to the plaguey bill? Soldiers find wars, and lawyers find out still Litigious men, which quarrels move, Though she and I do love.

—Donne,John

But I suppose even God was born too late to trust the old religionö all those settings out that never left the ground, beginning in wisdom, dying in doubt.

—Lowell, RobertTraill Spence,Jr

The woods decay, the woods decayand fall, The vapours weep their burthen to the ground, Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath, And after manya summer dies the swan. Me only cruel immortality Consumes: I wither slowly in thine arms, Here at the quiet limit of the world.

—Tennyson

I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig- tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked.One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet†I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig-tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.

—Plath, Sylvia

And the L God said,Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:Therefore the L God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life.

—Bible (Old Testament)

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shall return.

—Bible (Old Testament)

   For wheresoe'er I turn my ravished eyes, Gay gilded scenes and shining prospects rise, Poetic fields encompass me around, And still I seem to tread on classic ground.

—Addison,Joseph

The tolling bell Measures time not our time, rung by the unhurried Ground swell, a time Older than the time of chronometers.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

Is not a Patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern ona manstruggling for life inthewater, and,whenhehas reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

But Oedipus he had the luck For when he hit the ground He bounced up like a jackinabox And knocked his Daddy down.

—Hughes,Ted (Edward James)

I've already had medical attentionöa dog licked me when I was on the ground.

—1st Viscount