Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Earn
Earn
(ẽrn)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Earned
(ẽrnd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Earning
.] [AS.
earnian
; akin to OHG. arnōn
to reap, aran
harvest, G. ernte
, Goth. asans
harvest, asneis
hireling, AS. esne
; cf. Icel. önn
working season, work.] 1.
To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not).
The high repute
Which he through hazard huge must
Which he through hazard huge must
earn
. Milton.
2.
To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages;
as, to
earn
a good living; to earn
honors or laurels.I
earn
that [what] I eat. Shakespeare
The bread I have
earned
by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. Burke.
Syn. – See
Obtain
. Earn
,Verb.
I.
[See 4th
Yearn
.] To long; to yearn.
[Obs.]
And ever as he rode, his heart did
To prove his puissance in battle brave.
earn
To prove his puissance in battle brave.
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Earn
EARN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To merit or deserve by labor, or by any performance; to do that which entitles to a reward, whether the reward is received or not. Men often earn money or honor which they never receive.Earn money before you spend it, and spend less than you earn.
2.
To gain by labor, service or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation; as, to earn a dollar a day; to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.