Ground1, n.
n. [A-S., O. Sax., Sw., Dan., & N. H. Ger. grund, D. grond, O. H. Ger. grunt, Icel. grunnr, Goth. grundus, originally dust, earth, gravel, and hence, the gravelly bottom of a river, or lake, or of the sea, from A-S. grindan, Eng. grind. Cf. Ger. grund, gravel, coarse meal, from A-S. grindan, Eng. grind.]
Sense 1. The surface of the earth; the outer crust of the globe; hence, the surface of a floor or pavement supposed to touch the earth.
There was not a man to till the ground. Gen. ii. 5.
The fire ran along upon the ground. Ex. ix. 23.
Sense 2. A portion set apart of the earth's surface; region; territory; land; estate; possession; field.
Thy next design is on thy neighbor's grounds. Dryden.
Sense 3. The basis on which any thing rests; foundation; hence, the foundation of knowledge, belief, or conviction; a premise, reason, or datum; ultimate or first principle; cause of existence or occurrence; originating force, agency, or agent.
Making happiness the ground of his unhappiness. Sidney.
Sense 4. (Paint.) The surface on which a figure or object is represented; that surface or substance which retains the original color, and to which the other colors are applied to make the representation; as, crimson on a white ground; also, that portion of manufactured articles, as tapestry, carpeting, &c., of a uniform color, on which the figures are, as it were, drawn or projected. “Like bright metal on a sullen ground.” Shak.
Sense 5. (pl.) Sediment at the bottom of liquors; dregs; lees; as, coffee grounds; the grounds of strong beer.
Sense 6. (pl.) (Arch.) Pieces of wood, flush with the plastering, to which moldings, &c., are attached.
Sense 7. (Mus.) (a.) A composition in which the base, consisting of a few bars of independent notes, is continually repeated to a continually varying melody. (b.) The tune on which descants are raised; the plain-song. Moore.
On that ground I'll make a holy descant. Shak.
Sense 8. A gummous composition spread over the surface of a metal to be etched, to prevent the nitric acid from eating, except where an opening is made by the point of a needle.
Sense 9. The pit of a play-house. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
To gain ground, to advance; to proceed forward in conflict; as, an army in battle gains ground; hence, to obtain an advantage; to have some success; as, the army gains ground on the enemy.—To get, or to gather ground, to gain ground. [Rare.] “There is no way for duty to prevail, and get ground of them, but by bidding higher.” South.—To give ground, to recede; to yield advantage. “These two . . . began to give me ground.” Shak.—To lose ground, to retire; to retreat; to withdraw from the position taken; hence, to lose advantage; to lose credit or reputation; to decline.