Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - soil

~1 n 1 the top layer of the earth in which plants grow  (an area of rich soil | The bush grows well in a sandy soil.)  (- see land1) 2 the soil literary farming as a job or way of life  (They make their living from the soil.) 3 on British soil/French soil etc formal in Britain, in France etc  (The crime was committed on American soil.) 4 sb's native soil literary your own country  (- see also night soil) ~2 v 1 formal to make something dirty, especially with waste from your body 2 not soil your hands to not do something because you consider it too dirty, unpleasant, or dishonest  (I wouldn't soil my hands with such a devious scheme.) - soiled adj  (soiled diapers)