Dictionary entry

Soil (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Soil, n. [OE. soile, F. sol, fr. L. solum bottom, soil; but the word has probably been influenced in form by soil a miry place. Cf. Saloon, Soil a miry place, Sole of the foot.] 1. The upper stratum of the earth; the mold, or that compound substance which furnishes nutriment to plants, or which is particularly adapted to support and nourish them.

2. Land; country.

Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave

Thee, native soil? Milton.

3. Dung; fæces; compost; manure; as, night soil.

Improve land by dung and other sort of soils. Mortimer.

Soil pipe, a pipe or drain for carrying off night soil.