ETYM Old Eng. drit; kin to Icel. drit excrement, drîta to dung, od. drijten to dung, as. gedrîtan.
The state of being covered with unclean things; SYN. filth, grime, soil, stain, grease.
A filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime) c archaic; something worthless.
ETYM Old Eng. ground, grund, as. grund; akin to Dutch grond, os., German, Swed., and Dan. grund, Icel. grunnr bottom, Goth. grundus (in composition); perh. orig. meaning, dust, gravel, and if so perh. akin to Eng. grind.
1. The earth; soil.
2. A solid basis upon which something is constructed (literally or figuratively).
3. A position to be won or defended in battle (or as if in battle).
4. A relatively neutral area extending back of the figure on which attention is focused; SYN. background, backdrop.
5. (Art) The surface (as a wall or canvas) prepared to take the paint for a painting.