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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Earn

Earn, v. t.

verbtransitive

(ĕrn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. EARNED (ĕrnd); p. pr. & vb. n. EARNING.] [A-S. earnian, gearnian, to earn, to merit, O. H. Ger. arnōn, to measure, arnēn, to earn, to merit, allied to arān, to plow. See EAR, v. t.]

Sense 1. To merit or deserve by labor; to do that which entitles to a reward, whether the reward is received or not.

The high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. Milton.

Sense 2. To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.

The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. Burke.

Earn, v. i.

verbintransitive

[See YEARN.] To long for; to feel anxiety; to yearn. [Obs.]

And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave. Spencer.

Earn, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [Cf. A-S. gerinnan, to curdle, gerinnan, to run together, from rinnan, to run, rinnung, coagulation; O. H. Ger. girinnan, kurinnen, Goth. garinnan.] To curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]