(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah'. In Genesis 9:20 "husbandman" is literally "man of the ground or earth." Altars were to be built of earth (Exodus 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules' burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.

(2). As the rendering of 'erets, it means the whole world (Genesis 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (2 Chronicles 13:9). In the New Testament "the earth" denotes the land of Judea (Matthew 23:35); also things carnal in contrast with things heavenly (John 3:31; Colossians 3:1, 2).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) 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.

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

3. (n.) 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.

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

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

6. (n.) The people on the globe.

7. (n.) Any earthy-looking metallic oxide, as alumina, glucina, zirconia, yttria, and thoria.

8. (n.) A similar oxide, having a slight alkaline reaction, as lime, magnesia, strontia, baryta.

9. (n.) A hole in the ground, where an animal hides himself; as, the earth of a fox.

10. (v. t.) To hide, or cause to hide, in the earth; to chase into a burrow or den.

11. (v. t.) To cover with earth or mold; to inter; to bury; -- sometimes with up.

12. (v. i.) To burrow.

13. (n.) A plowing.