soil
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++soil1 /sɔɪl/ ●●● W2 noun 1 [countable, uncountable]TASDLG the top layer of the earth in which plants grow 土壤，土地，泥土 SYN earthn fertile soil (=good for growing crops) The soil here is very poor (=not good for growing crops). 这里的土壤很贫瘠。 Roses grow well in a clay soil. 蔷薇适宜在黏质土中生长。► see thesaurus at ground →5 see picture at 见图 tree2 on British/French/foreign etc soil formalSAN in Britain, France etc 在英国/法国/外国等的土地上 The crime was committed on American soil. 这桩罪案发生在美国。3 [uncountable] a place or situation where something can develop 〔可供某物发展的〕土壤，温床 Eastern Europe provided fertile soil for political activists. 东欧为政治活跃分子提供了肥沃的土壤。4. somebody’s native soil literarySAN your own country 某人的故土[祖国]5 the soil literaryTAAL farming as a job or way of life 务 农，种地为生 They make their living from the soil. 他们以务农为生。n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + soilgood/rich/fertile (=good for growing plants)The fertile soil produces delicious wines.poor (=not good for growing plants)If the soil is poor, add manure or compost.deepThe soil near the river is rich and deep.thin (=not deep)The thin soil is easily washed away.moist/dryKeep the soil moist.The soil was dry after three weeks without rain.light/sandy (=containing a lot of sand)Some plants prefer sandy soils.heavy/clay (=containing a lot of clay)The soil was too heavy to grow decent carrots.well-drained (=letting water pass through easily)Plant the seedlings out in a warm, sunny position in well-drained soil.acid/alkalineBlueberries need acid soil.garden soilTry planting them in compost rather than garden soil.verbswork the soil (=prepare the soil to grow plants)They worked the soil with hoes and forks.till the soil (=prepare the soil to grow crops)Their time is spent in constantly tilling the soil.n THESAURUSsoil the top layer of the earth that plants grow inRoses do best in well-drained, slightly acid soil.earth the brown substance that the ground is made up ofThousands of tons of earth were moved to build the dam.dirt American English loose dry eartha pile of loose dirt in the wheelbarrowdust a dry powder made up of extremely small bits of earth or sandA cloud of dust billowed out behind the tractor.mud wet soil that has become soft and stickyThe dog came back covered in mud.
Examples from the Corpus
soil• soil and water pollution• Star fruit trees like well-draining, moist and slightly acid soil.• Roses do best in well-drained, slightly acid soil.• Other considerations for siting Neolithic settlements included good water and soil, and convenient pasture land for newly domesticated animals.• This was the first time that the Pope had set foot on Cuban soil.• Most herbs grow well in dry soil.• Right-wing activists found fertile soil for their anti-immigrant ideas in southeastern regions.• Parsley should have a deep, moist, fertile soil for ideal growth.• The island was a jungle of palm trees in a sandy soil.• A stable soil soaks up water, and allows acid to break up bedrock and create more soil.• This can be promoted by burning which removes woody tissue and locally enriches the soil.• A few infections arise from inanimate sources: for example, pathogens that cause tetanus are harboured in the soil.• The treaty will be signed on US soil.• The limiting factor for early planting is more often waterlogged soil than cold temperatures.fertile soil• Once you get a fertile soil, the bully boys tend to take over and only about half a dozen plants flourish.• It appreciates an acidic, fertile soil that drains well.• These tender plants like a moist, well-draining and fertile soil.• This new and fertile soil rapidly developed her character and painting style.• They do best in a deep, fertile soil that is well drained, but does not seriously dry out.• And it is fertile soil for a severe economic downturn in the post-cold war world economy.• Quince C Semi-dwarfing, used for strong-growing types, needs fertile soil.• Agriculture flourished on the fertile soils of Kosovo and Metohija.soil2 verb [transitive] 1. formalDIRTY to make something dirty, especially with waste from your body 〔尤指用人的排泄物〕弄脏，弄污2 not soil your hands BAD BEHAVIOUR OR ACTIONSto not do something because you consider it too unpleasant or dishonest 不玷污双手〔指不做令人不快或不诚实的事〕 Keep your money – I wouldn’t soil my hands with it. 把你的钱留着吧，我可不愿意被它玷污了双手。 —soiled adjective soiled diapers 脏尿布→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
soil• Many of the pages had been soiled by the old man's dirty fingers.• soiled diapers• The baby had soiled her diaper again.• The man then soiled his bed. and Butler cleaned and changed him again.• He sometimes gets his shoes soiled in trying to stay out of the muck.• Is the bark naturally as black as it is now, or has the dirt from the air soiled it?• This would be soiled over to give a better finish than presently shown.• Fremont Elementary was old and soiled, waiting for terminal erosion like the bits of tire debris that trucks leave on freeways.• His shirtfront was soiled with blood and his hair was wild.• What good is there in preventing it, in soiling your daughter's reputation when it could remain clear?Origin soil1 (1200-1300) Anglo-French “piece of ground”, from Latin solium “seat”; influenced by Latin solum “ground, soil” soil2 (1200-1300) Old French soiller, from soil “pigsty”, probably from Latin suile, from sus “pig”soil1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n THESAURUS1soil2 verbLDOCE OnlineChinese
layer earth the which the top Corpus of plants in
soil
soil1 W2 /sɔɪl/ 
noun
SYN earth:
fertile soil (=good for growing crops)
The soil here is very poor (=not good for growing crops).
Roses grow well in a clay soil.
2. on British/French/foreign etc soil formal in Britain, France etc:
The crime was committed on American soil.
3. [uncountable] a place or situation where something can develop:
Eastern Europe provided fertile soil for political activists.
4. sb’s native soil literary your own country
5. the soil literary farming as a job or way of life:
They make their living from the soil.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + soil
▪good/rich/fertile (=good for growing plants) The fertile soil produces delicious wines.
▪poor (=not good for growing plants) If the soil is poor, add manure or compost.
▪deep The soil near the river is rich and deep.
▪thin (=not deep) The thin soil is easily washed away.
▪moist/dry Keep the soil moist. | The soil was dry after three weeks without rain.
▪light/sandy (=containing a lot of sand) Some plants prefer sandy soils.
▪heavy/clay (=containing a lot of clay) The soil was too heavy to grow decent carrots.
▪well-drained (=letting water pass through easily) Plant the seedlings out in a warm, sunny position in well-drained soil.
▪acid/alkaline Blueberries need acid soil.
▪garden soil Try planting them in compost rather than garden soil.
■ verbs
▪work the soil (=prepare the soil to grow plants) They worked the soil with hoes and forks.
▪till the soil (=prepare the soil to grow crops) Their time is spent in constantly tilling the soil.
▪ soil the top layer of the earth that plants grow in: Roses do best in well-drained, slightly acid soil.
▪earth the brown substance that the ground is made up of: Thousands of tons of earth were moved to build the dam.
▪dirt American English loose dry earth: a pile of loose dirt in the wheelbarrow
▪dust a dry powder made up of extremely small bits of earth or sand: A cloud of dust billowed out behind the tractor.
▪mud wet soil that has become soft and sticky: The dog came back covered in mud.
soil2 verb [transitive]
2. not soil your hands to not do something because you consider it too unpleasant or dishonest:
Keep your money – I wouldn’t soil my hands with it.
—soiled adjective:
soiled diapers
| I |
noun Date: 1200-1300
Language: Anglo-French
Origin: 'piece of ground', from Latin solium 'seat'; influenced by Latin solum 'ground, soil'
1. [uncountable and countable] the top layer of the earth in which plants grow Language: Anglo-French
Origin: 'piece of ground', from Latin solium 'seat'; influenced by Latin solum 'ground, soil'
SYN earth:
2. on British/French/foreign etc soil formal in Britain, France etc:
3. [uncountable] a place or situation where something can develop:
4. sb’s native soil literary your own country
5. the soil literary farming as a job or way of life:
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| II |
verb [transitive] Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: soiller, from soil 'pigsty', probably from Latin suile, from sus 'pig'
1. formal to make something dirty, especially with waste from your bodyLanguage: Old French
Origin: soiller, from soil 'pigsty', probably from Latin suile, from sus 'pig'
2. not soil your hands to not do something because you consider it too unpleasant or dishonest:
—soiled adjective:
soil the top layer of the earth in which plants grow 指土壤 ：◆ Plant the seedlings in damp soil. 把幼苗种在湿润的土壤里。 mud wet soil that is soft and sticky 指泥、淤泥、泥浆 ：◆ The car wheels got stuck in the mud. 汽车轮子陷到泥里去了。 dust a fine powder that consists of very small pieces of rock, earth, etc. 指沙石、沙土、尘土 ：◆ A cloud of dust rose as the truck set off. 卡车起动时扬起一片灰尘。 clay a type of heavy sticky soil that becomes hard when it is baked and is used to make things such as pots and bricks 指黏土、陶土 ：◆ The tiles are made of clay. 这些砖是用陶土制成的。 land an area of ground, especially of a particular type 尤指某种类型的地带、土地 ：◆ an area of rich, fertile land 土地富饶肥沃的地域 earth the substance that plants grow in 指土、泥、泥土 NOTE Earth is often used about the soil found in gardens or used for gardening.* earth 常用以指花园里或种花用的泥土 ：◆ She put some earth into the pot. 她在花盆里放了一些泥土。 dirt ( soil, especially loose soilespecially
NAmE 指泥土，尤指松土、散土 ：◆ Pack the dirt firmly around the plants. 将植物周围的土培实。 ground an area of soil 指土地 ：◆ The car got stuck in the muddy ground. 汽车陷到泥地里了。 ◆ They drove across miles of rough, stony ground. 他们驶过数英里崎岖不平、多石的土地。 NOTE Ground is not used for loose soil.* ground 不用以指松土、散土 ：◆ a handful of dry ground
Patterns
good/rich soil/land/earthfertile/infertile soil/land/groundto dig the soil/mud/clay/land/earth/groundto cultivate the soil/land/ground