Alkaline earths

Alkaline \Al"ka*line\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. alcalin.]
   Of or pertaining to an alkali or to alkalies; having the
   properties of an alkali.
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   {Alkaline earths}, certain substances, as lime, baryta,
      strontia, and magnesia, possessing some of the qualities
      of alkalies.

   {Alkaline metals}, potassium, sodium, c[ae]sium, lithium,
      rubidium.

   {Alkaline reaction}, a reaction indicating alkalinity, as by
      the action on limits, turmeric, etc.
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Earth \Earth\ ([~e]rth), n. [AS. eor[eth]e; akin to OS. ertha,
   OFries. irthe, D. aarde, OHG. erda, G. erde, Icel.
   j["o]r[eth], Sw. & Dan. jord, Goth. a[imac]r[thorn]a, 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.
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            That law preserves the earth a sphere
            And guides the planets in their course. --S. Rogers.
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            In heaven, or earth, or under earth, in hell.
                                                  --Milton.
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   2. The solid materials which make up the globe, in
      distinction from the air or water; the dry land.
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            God called the dry land earth.        --Gen. i. 10.
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            He is pure air and fire, and the dull elements of
            earth and water never appear in him.  --Shak.
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   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.
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            Give him a little earth for charity.  --Shak.
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   4. A part of this globe; a region; a country; land.
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            Would I had never trod this English earth. --Shak.
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   5. Worldly things, as opposed to spiritual things; the
      pursuits, interests, and allurements of this life.
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            Our weary souls by earth beguiled.    --Keble.
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   6. The people on the globe.
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            The whole earth was of one language.  --Gen. xi. 1.
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   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.
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   8. A hole in the ground, where an animal hides himself; as,
      the earth of a fox. --Macaulay.
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            They [ferrets] course the poor conies out of their
            earths.                               --Holland.
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   9. (Elec.) The connection of any part an electric conductor
      with the ground; specif., the connection of a telegraph
      line with the ground through a fault or otherwise.

   Note: When the resistance of the earth connection is low it
         is termed a good earth.
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   Note: 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.
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   {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
      f[ae]cal discharges.

   {Earth dog} (Zo["o]l.), a dog that will dig in the earth, or
      enter holes of foxes, etc.

   {Earth hog}, {Earth pig} (Zo["o]l.), 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 {Earth 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.]
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