01 n. Any foul of filthy substance, as excrement, mud, dust, etc.; whatever, adhering to anything, renders it foul or unclean; earth; as, a wagon…
-
1.
Any foul of filthy substance, as excrement, mud, dust, etc.; whatever, adhering to anything, renders it foul or unclean; earth; as, a wagonload of dirt.“Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” — Is. lvii. 20.
-
2.
Meanness; sordidness.“Honors . . . thrown away upon dirt and infamy.” — Melmoth.
-
3.
In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc., before washing.
Phrases & compounds
Dirt bed —
a layer of clayey earth forming a stratum in a geological formation. Dirt beds are common among the coal measures.
Dirt eating —
The use of certain kinds of clay for food, existing among some tribes of Indians; geophagism.
Dirt pie —
clay or mud molded by children in imitation of pastry.
To eat dirt —
to submit in a meanly humble manner to insults; to eat humble pie.