Land, n. [AS. land, lond; akin to D., G., Icel., Sw., Dan., and Goth.
land. ] 1. The solid part of the surface of the earth; - - opposed to
water as constituting a part of such surface, especially to oceans and
seas; as, to sight land after a long voyage.
They turn their heads to sea, their sterns to land.
Dryden.
2. Any portion, large or small, of the surface of the earth, considered
by itself, or as belonging to an individual or a people, as a country,
estate, farm, or tract.
Go view the land, even Jericho.
Josh. ii. 1.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth
accumulates and men decay.
Goldsmith.
In the expressions "to be, or dwell, upon land," "to go, or fare, on
land," as used by Chaucer, land denotes the country as distinguished
from the town.
A poor parson dwelling upon land [i.e., in the country].
Chaucer.
3. Ground, in respect to its nature or quality; soil; as, wet land;
good or bad land.