soil
n.
uppermost part of the earth's crust which consists of humus mixed with rocks and minerals; ground, earth, dirt; type of soil; land, country; place or condition conducive to growth; spot, stain; sewage; manure
v.
dirty, make filthy; stain; tarnish, bring shame or disgrace; become dirty
SOiL
Soil
For the American hard rock band, see
SOiL.For the
System of a Down song, see
Soil (song). Technically, soil forms the
pedosphere: the
interface between the
lithosphere (rocky part of the planet) and the biosphere,
atmosphere, and
hydrosphere. More generally, soil is a three phase system comprised of various combinations of naturally-derived
solids including fine to coarse-grained
rocks and
minerals,
organic matter,
ice, weathered rock and
precipitates,
liquids primarily
water solutions, and
gases. The liquid phase is typically primarily water, and is also known as the 'soil solution'; plants take their nutrients from this phase. The gaseous phase is important for supplying oxygen to plant roots for respiration. Soil formation, or
pedogenesis, is the combined effect of physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes on soil
parent material resulting in the formation of
soil horizons. Dependence on and curiosity about soil, exploring the diversity and dynamic of this resource continues to yield fresh discoveries and insights. New avenues of soil research are compelled by our need to understand soil in the context of
climate change,
greenhouse gases, and
carbon sequestration. Our interest in maintaining the planet's biodiversity and in exploring
past cultures has also stimulated renewed interest in achieving a more refined understanding of soil.
See more at Wikipedia.org...
soil
Noun
1. the state of being covered with unclean things
(synonym) dirt, filth, grime, stain, grease, grunge
(hypernym) dirtiness, uncleanness
(derivation) dirty, begrime, grime, colly, bemire
2. the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
(synonym) dirt
(hypernym) earth, ground
(hyponym) marl
3. material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use); "the land had never been plowed"; "good agricultural soil"
(synonym) land, ground
(hypernym) object, physical object
(hyponym) badlands
4. the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state; "American troops were stationed on Japanese soil"
(synonym) territory
(hypernym) geographical area, geographic area, geographical region, geographic region
Verb
1. make soiled, filthy, or dirty; "don't soil your clothes when you play outside!"
(synonym) dirty, begrime, grime, colly, bemire
(hypernym) change, alter, modify
(hyponym) foul
(derivation) dirt, filth, grime, stain, grease, grunge
Soil
(v. t.)
To feed, as cattle or horses, in the barn or an inclosure, with fresh grass or green food cut for them, instead of sending them out to pasture; hence (such food having the effect of purging them), to purge by feeding on green food; as, to soil a horse.
(v. t.)
To enrich with soil or muck; to manure.
(v. i.)
To become soiled; as, light colors soil sooner than dark ones.
(n.)
To stain or mar, as with infamy or disgrace; to tarnish; to sully.
(n.)
To make dirty or unclean on the surface; to foul; to dirty; to defile; as, to soil a garment with dust.
(n.)
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.
(n.)
That which soils or pollutes; a soiled place; spot; stain.
(n.)
Land; country.
(n.)
Dung; faeces; compost; manure; as, night soil.
(n.)
A marshy or miry place to which a hunted boar resorts for refuge; hence, a wet place, stream, or tract of water, sought for by other game, as deer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter.
About
Soil
Complex mixture of inorganic minerals (i.e., mostly clay, silt, and sand), decaying organic matter, water, air, and living organisms.
Free Download Now!
