The surface of land or upper part of the earth, without reference to the materials which compose it. We apply ground to soil, sand or gravel indifferently, but never apply it to the whole mass of the earth or globe, nor to any portion of it when removed. We never say a shovel full or a load of ground. We say under ground, but not under earth; and we speak of the globe as divided into land and water, not into ground and water. Yet ground, earth and land are often used synonymously. We say, the produce or fruits of the ground, of the earth, or of land. The water overflows the low ground, or the low land. There was not a man to till the ground. Genesis 2:5. The ground shall give its increase. Zechariah 8:12. The fire ran along on the ground. Exodus 9:23.

Region; territory; as Egyptian ground; British ground; heavenly ground.

Land; estate; possession. Thy next design is on thy neighbor’s grounds.

The surface of the earth, or a floor or pavement. Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground. 7 Samuel 5:4.

Foundation; that which supports any thing. This argument stands on defensible ground. Hence,

Fundamental cause; primary reason or original principle. He stated the grounds of his complaint. Making happiness the ground of his unhappiness.

First principles; as the grounds of religion.

In painting, 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.

In manufactures, the principal color, to which others are considered as ornamental.

Grounds, plural, the bottom of liquors; dregs; lees; feces; as coffee grounds; the grounds of strong beer.

The plain song; the tune on which descants are raised. On that ground, I'll build a holy descant.

In etching, a gummous composition spread over the surface of the metal to be etched, to prevent the nitric acid from eating, except where the ground is opened with the point of a needle.

Field or place of action. He fought with fury, and would not quit the ground.

In music, the name given to a composition in which the base, consisting of a few bars of independent notes, is continually repeated to a continually varying melody.

The foil to set a thing off.

Formerly, the pit of a play house. 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. Hence,

To gain credit; to prevail; to become more general or extensive; as, the opinion gains ground. To lose ground, to retire; to retreat; to withdraw from the position taken. Hence, to lose advantage. Hence,

To lose credit; to decline; to become less in force or extent. To give ground, to recede; to yield advantage. Get ground, and to gather ground, are seldom used.

To lay or set on the ground.

To found; to fix or set, as on a foundation, cause, reason or principle; as arguments grounded on reason; faith grounded on scriptural evidence.