Chapter 67

Ear"ly, a. [Compar. Earlier (r"l*r); superl. Earliest.] [OE. earlich. √204. See Early, adv.] 1. In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; -- opposed to late; as, the early bird; an early spring; early fruit.

Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.

Burke.

The doorsteps and threshold with the early grass springing up about them.

Hawthorne.

2. Coming in the first part of a period of time, or among the first of successive acts, events, etc.

Seen in life's early morning sky.

Keble.

The forms of its earlier manhood.

Longfellow.

The earliest poem he composed was in his seventeenth summer.

J. C. Shairp.

Early English (Philol.) See the Note under English. -- Early English architecture, the first of the pointed or Gothic styles used in England, succeeding the Norman style in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Syn. -- Forward; timely; not late; seasonable.

Ear"mark` (?), n. 1. A mark on the ear of sheep, oxen, dogs, etc., as by cropping or slitting.

2. A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.

Money is said to have no earmark.

Wharton.

Flying, he [a slave] should be described by the rounding of his head, and his earmark.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

A set of intellectual ideas . . . have earmarks upon them, no tokens of a particular proprietor.

Burrow.

Ear"mark`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earmarked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earmarking.] To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.

Earn (?), n. (Zoöl.) See Ern, n. Sir W. Scott.

Earn (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earning.] [AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arn&?;n to reap, aran harvest, G. ernte, Goth. asans harvest, asneis hireling, AS. esne; cf. Icel. önn working season, work.] 1. To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not).

The high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn.

Milton.

2. To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.

I earn that [what] I eat.

Shak.

The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow.

Burke.

Earned run (Baseball), a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.

Syn. -- See Obtain.

Earn (?), v. t. & i. [See 1st Yearn.] To grieve. [Obs.]

Earn, v. i. [See 4th Yearn.] To long; to yearn. [Obs.]

And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave.

Spenser.

Earn, v. i. [AS. irnan to run. √11. See Rennet, and cf. Yearnings.] To curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]

Ear"nest (?), n. [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. &?; to excite, L. oriri to rise.] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.

Sir P. Sidney.

And given in earnest what I begged in jest.

Shak.

In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.

Ear"nest, a. 1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.

An earnest advocate to plead for him.

Shak.

2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.

3. Serious; important. [Obs.]

They whom earnest lets do often hinder.

Hooker.

Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.

Ear"nest, v. t. To use in earnest. [R.]

To earnest them [our arms] with men.

Pastor Fido (1602).

Ear"nest, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. 'arrabw`n, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. rvn; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.] 1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Cor. i. 22.

And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death.

Shak.

2. (Law) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin.

Earnest money (Law), money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.

Syn. -- Earnest, Pledge. These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.

Ear"nest*ful (?), a. Serious. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ear"nest*ly, adv. In an earnest manner.

Ear"nest*ness, n. The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety.

An honest earnestness in the young man's manner.

W. Irving.

Earn"ful (?), a. [From Earn to yearn.] Full of anxiety or yearning. [Obs.] P. Fletcher.

Earn"ing, n.; pl. Earnings (&?;). That which is earned; wages gained by work or services; money earned; -- used commonly in the plural.

As to the common people, their stock is in their persons and in their earnings.

Burke.

Ear"pick` (?), n. An instrument for removing wax from the ear.

Ear"-pier`cer (?), n. (Zoöl.) The earwig.

Ear"reach` (?), n. Earshot. Marston.

Ear"ring` (?), n. An ornament consisting of a ring passed through the lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant.

Earsh (?), n. See Arrish.

Ear"-shell` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A flattened marine univalve shell of the genus Haliotis; -- called also sea-ear. See Abalone.

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Ear"shot` (?), n. Reach of the ear; distance at which words may be heard. Dryden.

Ear"shrift` (?), n. A nickname for auricular confession; shrift. [Obs.] Cartwright.

Ear"sore` (?), n. An annoyance to the ear. [R.]

The perpetual jangling of the chimes . . . is no small earsore &?;s.

Sir T. Browne.

Ear"-split`ting (?), a. Deafening; disagreeably loud or shrill; as, ear-splitting strains.

Earst (?), adv. See Erst. [Obs.] Spenser.

Earth (?), n. [AS. eor&?;e; akin to OS. ertha, OFries. irthe, D. aarde, OHG. erda, G. erde, Icel. jör&?;, Sw. & Dan. jord, Goth. arpa, OHG. ero, Gr. &?;, adv., to earth, and perh. to E. ear to plow.] 1. The globe or planet which we inhabit; the world, in distinction from the sun, moon, or stars. Also, this world as the dwelling place of mortals, in distinction from the dwelling place of spirits.

That law preserves the earth a sphere And guides the planets in their course.

S. Rogers.

In heaven, or earth, or under earth, in hell.

Milton.

2. The solid materials which make up the globe, in distinction from the air or water; the dry land.

God called the dry land earth.

Gen. i. 10.

He is pure air and fire, and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him.

Shak.

3. The softer inorganic matter composing part of the surface of the globe, in distinction from the firm rock; soil of all kinds, including gravel, clay, loam, and the like; sometimes, soil favorable to the growth of plants; the visible surface of the globe; the ground; as, loose earth; rich earth.

Give him a little earth for charity.

Shak.

4. A part of this globe; a region; a country; land.

Would I had never trod this English earth.

Shak.

5. Worldly things, as opposed to spiritual things; the pursuits, interests, and allurements of this life.

Our weary souls by earth beguiled.

Keble.

6. The people on the globe.

The whole earth was of one language.

Gen. xi. 1.

7. (Chem.) (a) Any earthy-looking metallic oxide, as alumina, glucina, zirconia, yttria, and thoria. (b) A similar oxide, having a slight alkaline reaction, as lime, magnesia, strontia, baryta.

8. A hole in the ground, where an animal hides himself; as, the earth of a fox. Macaulay.

They [ferrets] course the poor conies out of their earths.

Holland.

Earth is used either adjectively or in combination to form compound words; as, earth apple or earth-apple; earth metal or earth-metal; earth closet or earth-closet.

Adamic earth, Bitter earth, Bog earth, Chian earth, etc. See under Adamic, Bitter, etc. -- Alkaline earths. See under Alkaline. -- Earth apple. (Bot.) (a) A potato. (b) A cucumber. -- Earth auger, a form of auger for boring into the ground; -- called also earth borer. -- Earth bath, a bath taken by immersing the naked body in earth for healing purposes. -- Earth battery (Physics), a voltaic battery the elements of which are buried in the earth to be acted on by its moisture. -- Earth chestnut, the pignut. -- Earth closet, a privy or commode provided with dry earth or a similar substance for covering and deodorizing the fæcal discharges. -- Earth dog (Zoöl.), a dog that will dig in the earth, or enter holes of foxes, etc. -- Earth hog, Earth pig (Zoöl.), the aard- vark. -- Earth hunger, an intense desire to own land, or, in the case of nations, to extend their domain. -- Earth light (Astron.), the light reflected by the earth, as upon the moon, and corresponding to moonlight; -- called also earth shine. Sir J. Herschel. -- Earth metal. See 1st Earth, 7. (Chem.) -- Earth oil, petroleum. -- Earth pillars or pyramids (Geol.), high pillars or pyramids of earth, sometimes capped with a single stone, found in Switzerland. Lyell. -- Earth pitch (Min.), mineral tar, a kind of asphaltum. -- Earth quadrant, a fourth of the earth's circumference. -- Earth table (Arch.), the lowest course of stones visible in a building; the ground table. -- On earth, an intensive expression, oftenest used in questions and exclamations; as, What on earth shall I do? Nothing on earth will satisfy him. [Colloq.]

Earth (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earthed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earthing.] 1. To hide, or cause to hide, in the earth; to chase into a burrow or den. "The fox is earthed." Dryden.

2. To cover with earth or mold; to inter; to bury; -- sometimes with up.

The miser earths his treasure, and the thief, Watching the mole, half beggars him ere noon.

Young.

Why this in earthing up a carcass?

R. Blair.

Earth, v. i. To burrow. Tickell.

Earth, n. [From Ear to plow.] A plowing. [Obs.]

Such land as ye break up for barley to sow, Two earths at the least, ere ye sow it, bestow.

Tusser.

Earth"bag` (?), n. (Mil.) A bag filled with earth, used commonly to raise or repair a parapet.

Earth"bank` (?), n. A bank or mound of earth.

Earth"board` (?), n. (Agric.) The part of a plow, or other implement, that turns over the earth; the moldboard.

Earth"born` (?), a. 1. Born of the earth; terrigenous; springing originally from the earth; human.

Some earthborn giant.

Milton.

2. Relating to, or occasioned by, earthly objects.

All earthborn cares are wrong.

Goldsmith.

Earth"bred` (?), a. Low; grovelling; vulgar.

Earth"din` (?), n. An earthquake. [Obs.]

Earth"drake` (?), n. A mythical monster of the early Anglo-Saxon literature; a dragon. W. Spalding.

Earth"en (?), a. Made of earth; made of burnt or baked clay, or other like substances; as, an earthen vessel or pipe.

Earth"en-heart`ed (?), a. Hard- hearted; sordid; gross. [Poetic] Lowell.

Earth"en*ware` (?), n. Vessels and other utensils, ornaments, or the like, made of baked clay. See Crockery, Pottery, Stoneware, and Porcelain.

Earth" flax` (?). (Min.) A variety of asbestus. See Amianthus.

Earth"fork` (?), n. A pronged fork for turning up the earth.

Earth"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being earthy, or of containing earth; hence, grossness.

Earth"li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being earthly; worldliness; grossness; perishableness.

Earth"ling (?), n. [Earth + - ling.] An inhabitant of the earth; a mortal.

Earthlings oft her deemed a deity.

Drummond.

Earth"ly, a. 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. [Obs.] Holland.

Syn. -- Gross; material; sordid; mean; base; vile; low; unsubstantial; temporary; corrupt; groveling.

Earth"ly, adv. In the manner of the earth or its people; worldly.

Took counsel from his guiding eyes To make this wisdom earthly wise.

Emerson.

Earth"ly-mind`ed (?), a. Having a mind devoted to earthly things; worldly-minded; -- opposed to spiritual-minded. -- Earth"ly-mind`ed*ness, n.

Earth"mad` (?), n. [Earth + mad an earthworm.] (Zoöl.) The earthworm. [Obs.]

The earthmads and all the sorts of worms . . . are without eyes.

Holland.

Earth"nut` (?), n. (Bot.) A name given to various roots, tubers, or pods grown under or on the ground; as to: (a) The esculent tubers of the umbelliferous plants Bunium flexuosum and Carum Bulbocastanum. (b) The peanut. See Peanut.

Earth"pea` (?), n. (Bot.) A species of pea (Amphicarpæa monoica). It is a climbing leguminous plant, with hairy underground pods.

Earth"quake` (?), n. 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.

Earth"quake`, a. Like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; startling.

The earthquake voice of victory.

Byron.

Earth"quave` (?), n. An earthquake.

Earth" shine` (?). See Earth light, under Earth.

Earth"shock` (?), n. An earthquake.

Earth"star` (?), n. (Bot.) 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.

Earth"-tongue` (?), n. (Bot.) A fungus of the genus Geoglossum.

{ Earth"ward (?), Earth"wards (&?;), } adv. Toward the earth; -- opposed to heavenward or skyward.

Earth"work` (?), n. 1. (Mil.) Any construction, whether a temporary breastwork or permanent fortification, for attack or defense, the material of which is chiefly earth.

2. (Engin.) (a) The operation connected with excavations and embankments of earth in preparing foundations of buildings, in constructing canals, railroads, etc. (b) An embankment or construction made of earth.

Earth"worm` (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) 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. Norris.

Earth"y (?), a. 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. [R.] "Their earthy charge." Milton.

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." Shak.

4. (Min.) Without luster, or dull and roughish to the touch; as, an earthy fracture.

Ear"wax` (?), n. (Anat.) See Cerumen.

Ear"wig` (?), n. [AS. eárwicga; eáre ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. erri-wiggle.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera.

2. (Zoöl.) In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. 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. Johnson.

Ear"wig` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earwigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earwigging (?).] To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk. "No longer was he earwigged by the Lord Cravens." Lord Campbell.

Ear"wit`ness (?), n. A witness by means of his ears; one who is within hearing and does hear; a hearer. Fuller.

Ease (?), n. [OE. ese, eise, F. aise; akin to Pr. ais, aise, OIt. asio, It. agio; of uncertain origin; cf. L. ansa handle, occasion, opportunity. Cf. Agio, Disease.] 1. Satisfaction; pleasure; hence, accommodation; entertainment. [Obs.]

They him besought Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny.

Chaucer.

2. Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as: (a) Relief from labor or effort; rest; quiet; relaxation; as, ease of body.

Usefulness comes by labor, wit by ease.

Herbert.

Give yourself ease from the fatigue of watching.

Swift.

(b) Freedom from care, solicitude, or anything that annoys or disquiets; tranquillity; peace; comfort; security; as, ease of mind.

Among these nations shalt thou find no ease.

Deut. xxviii. 65.

Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luke xii. 19.

(c) Freedom from constraint, formality, difficulty, embarrassment, etc.; facility; liberty; naturalness; -- said of manner, style, etc.; as, ease of style, of behavior, of address.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.

Pope.

Whate'er he did was done with so much ease, In him alone 't was natural to please.

Dryden.

At ease, free from pain, trouble, or anxiety. "His soul shall dwell at ease." Ps. xxv. 12. -- Chapel of ease. See under Chapel. -- Ill at ease, not at ease, disquieted; suffering; anxious. -- To stand at ease (Mil.), to stand in a comfortable attitude in one's place in the ranks. -- With ease, easily; without much effort.

Syn. -- Rest; quiet; repose; comfortableness; tranquillity; facility; easiness; readiness.

Ease (z), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Eased (zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Easing.] [OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See Ease, n.] 1. To free from anything that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to; -- often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind.

Eased [from] the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear.

Milton.

Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load.

Dryden.

2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate.

My couch shall ease my complaint.

Job vii. 13.

3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery.

4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To ease off, To ease away (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually. -- To ease a ship (Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled. -- To ease the helm (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Syn. -- To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify.

Ease"ful (?), a. Full of ease; suitable for affording ease or rest; quiet; comfortable; restful. Shak. -- Ease"ful*ly, adv. -- Ease"ful*ness, n.

Ea"sel (?), n. [D. ezel ass, donkey, hence, easel, or G. esel; akin to E. ass. See Ass.] A frame (commonly) of wood serving to hold a canvas upright, or nearly upright, for the painter's convenience or for exhibition.

Easel picture, Easel piece, a painting of moderate size such as is made while resting on an easel, as distinguished from a painting on a wall or ceiling.

Ease"less (?), a. Without ease. Donne.

Ease"ment (?), n. [OF. aisement. See Ease, n.] 1. That which gives ease, relief, or assistance; convenience; accommodation.

In need of every kind of relief and easement.

Burke.

2. (Law) A liberty, privilege, or advantage, which one proprietor has in the estate of another proprietor, distinct from the ownership of the soil, as a way, water course, etc. It is a species of what the civil law calls servitude. Kent.

3. (Arch.) A curved member instead of an abrupt change of direction, as in a baseboard, hand rail, etc.

Eas"i*ly (?), adv. [From Easy.] 1. With ease; without difficulty or much effort; as, this task may be easily performed; that event might have been easily foreseen.

2. Without pain, anxiety, or disturbance; as, to pass life well and easily. Sir W. Temple.

3. Readily; without reluctance; willingly.

Not soon provoked, she easily forgives.

Prior.

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4. Smoothly; quietly; gently; gracefully; without &?;umult or discord.

5. Without shaking or jolting; commodiously; as, a carriage moves easily.

Eas"i*ness (?), n. 1. The state or condition of being easy; freedom from distress; rest.

2. Freedom from difficulty; ease; as the easiness of a task.

3. Freedom from emotion; compliance; disposition to yield without opposition; unconcernedness.

Give to him, and he shall but laugh at your easiness.

South.

4. Freedom from effort, constraint, or formality; -- said of style, manner, etc.

With painful care, but seeming easiness.

Roscommon.

5. Freedom from jolting, jerking, or straining.

East (st), n. [OE. est, east, AS. eást; akin to D. oost, oosten, OHG. stan, G. ost, osten, Icel. austr, Sw. ost, Dan. öst, östen, Lith. auszra dawn, L. aurora (for ausosa), Gr. 'hw`s, "e`os, 'a`yws, Skr. ushas; cf. Skr. ush to burn, L. urere. &radic;149, 288. Cf. Aurora, Easter, Sterling.] 1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to rise at the equinox, or the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and which is toward the right hand of one who faces the north; the point directly opposite to the west.

The east began kindle.

E. Everett.

2. The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries which lie east of Europe; the orient. In this indefinite sense, the word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China, etc.; as, the riches of the East; the diamonds and pearls of the East; the kings of the East.

The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold.

Milton.

3. (U. S. Hist. and Geog.) Formerly, the part of the United States east of the Alleghany Mountains, esp. the Eastern, or New England, States; now, commonly, the whole region east of the Mississippi River, esp. that which is north of Maryland and the Ohio River; -- usually with the definite article; as, the commerce of the East is not independent of the agriculture of the West.

East by north, East by south, according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 11¼° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due east. -- East-northeast, East-southeast, that which lies 22½° to the north or south of east, or half way between east and northeast or southeast, respectively. See Illust. of Compass.

East (?), a. Toward the rising sun; or toward the point where the sun rises when in the equinoctial; as, the east gate; the east border; the east side; the east wind is a wind that blows from the east.

East, adv. Eastward.

East, v. i. To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east; to orientate.