Definition of ground

• imp. & p. p. - of Grind
• n. - The surface of the earth; the outer crust of the globe, or some indefinite portion of it.
• n. - A floor or pavement supposed to rest upon the earth.
• n. - Any definite portion of the earth's surface; region; territory; country. Hence: A territory appropriated to, or resorted to, for a particular purpose; the field or place of action; as, a hunting or fishing ground; a play ground.
• n. - Land; estate; possession; field; esp. (pl.), the gardens, lawns, fields, etc., belonging to a homestead; as, the grounds of the estate are well kept.
• n. - The basis on which anything 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 or agency; as, the ground of my hope.
• n. - That surface upon which the figures of a composition are set, and which relieves them by its plainness, being either of one tint or of tints but slightly contrasted with one another; as, crimson Bowers on a white ground.
• n. - In sculpture, a flat surface upon which figures are raised in relief.
• n. - In point lace, the net of small meshes upon which the embroidered pattern is applied; as, Brussels ground. See Brussels lace, under Brussels.
• n. - A gummy composition spread over the surface of a metal to be etched, to prevent the acid from eating except where an opening is made by the needle.
• n. - One of the pieces of wood, flush with the plastering, to which moldings, etc., are attached; -- usually in the plural.
• n. - A composition in which the bass, consisting of a few bars of independent notes, is continually repeated to a varying melody.
• n. - The tune on which descants are raised; the plain song.
• n. - A conducting connection with the earth, whereby the earth is made part of an electrical circuit.
• n. - Sediment at the bottom of liquors or liquids; dregs; lees; feces; as, coffee grounds.
• n. - The pit of a theater.
• v. t. - To lay, set, or run, on the ground.
• v. t. - To found; to fix or set, as on a foundation, reason, or principle; to furnish a ground for; to fix firmly.
• v. t. - To instruct in elements or first principles.
• v. t. - To connect with the ground so as to make the earth a part of an electrical circuit.
• v. t. - To cover with a ground, as a copper plate for etching (see Ground, n., 5); or as paper or other materials with a uniform tint as a preparation for ornament.
• v. i. - To run aground; to strike the bottom and remain fixed; as, the ship grounded on the bar.
• - imp. & p. p. of Grind.