mass noun
1- the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles泥土, 土壤。
1.1
- the territory of a particular nation国土; 领土：
the stationing of US troops on Japanese soil.
美国军队在日本领土上的驻扎。
派生词
soil-less
adjective词源
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French， perhaps representing Latin solium 'seat'， by association with solum 'ground'.
with obj.
1- make dirty弄脏, 弄污：
he might soil his expensive suit
他可能会弄污他昂贵的西装
as adj. soiled a soiled T-shirt.一件被弄脏的T恤衫。
1.1
- (especially of a child, patient, or pet) make dirty by defecating in or on（尤指小孩、病人、宠物）排泄大便而弄脏。
1.2
- figurative bring discredit to; tarnish〈喻〉玷污; 败坏：
what good is there in soiling your daughter's reputation?
玷污你女儿的名声有什么好处？
mass noun
1- waste matter, especially sewage containing excrement污秽（尤指含粪便的污水）。参见NIGHT SOIL.
1.1
- count noun archaic a stain or discolouring mark〈古〉污点; 污记。
词源
Middle English (as a verb)： from Old French soiller, based on Latin sucula, diminutive of sus 'pig'. The earliest use of the noun (late Middle English) was 'muddy wallow for wild boar'; current noun senses date from the early 16th cent.