soil n
1. the state of being covered with unclean things [syn: dirt, filth, grime, stain, grease, grunge]
2. the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock [syn: dirt]
3. material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use); "the land had never been plowed"; "good agricultural soil" [syn: land, ground]
4. the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state; "American troops were stationed on Japanese soil" [syn: territory] v : make soiled, filthy, or dirty; "don't soil your clothes when you play outside!" [syn: dirty, begrime, grime, colly, bemire] [ant: clean]

Soil \Soil\, v. i. To become soiled; as, light colors soil sooner than dark ones.

Soil \Soil\, n. [See Soil to make dirty, Soil a miry place.] That which soils or pollutes; a soiled place; spot; stain. A lady's honor . . . will not bear a soil. --Dryden.

Soil \Soil\, v. t. To enrich with soil or muck; to manure. Men . . . soil their ground, not that they love the dirt, but that they expect a crop. --South.

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Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics.

Soil particles pack loosely, forming a soil structure filled with pore spaces. These pores contain soil solution (liquid) and air (gas). In engineering, soil is referred to as regolith, or loose rock material.

Soil formation, or pedogenesis, is the combined effect of physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes on soil parent material. Soil genesis involves processes that develop layers or horizons in the soil profile. These processes involve additions, losses, transformations and translocations of material that compose the soil. Minerals derived from weathered rocks undergo changes that cause the formation of secondary minerals and other compounds that are variably soluble in water, these constituents are moved (translocated) from one area of the soil to other areas by water and animal activity. The alteration and movement of materials within soil causes the formation of distinctive soil horizons.

• Soil sample expert testifies that soil found in area where Shaniya Davis was found matches soil found in Mario McNeill ...
  A defense lawyer for Mario McNeill this morning attacked the credibility of an expert who'd testified that soil found in McNeill's car matched soil found along a road near where the body of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis was found. Read more on this news related to 'Soil'
• Bid to use jute to stop Darjeeling soil loss
  Calcutta, May 19: Tea planters have decided to address the problem of soil erosion in Darjeeling on an urgent basis and have sought the National Jute Board's help to conduct a feasibility study on the ... Read more on this news related to 'Soil'
• Soil moisture above normal all over state
  CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Soil moisture levels are slightly above normal in Illinois for the middle of May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Read more on this news related to 'Soil'