SOILING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Soiling

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verb

Soil v. t. (past & past part. soiled; pres. part. soiling) To feed, as cattle or horses, in the barn or an inclosure, with fresh grass or green food cut for them, instead of sending them out to pasture; hence (such food having the effect of purging them), to purge by feeding on green food; as, to soil a horse.

Soil v. t. To enrich with soil or muck; to manure. "Men... soil their ground, not that they love the dirt, but that they expect a crop."

Soil v. t.

To make dirty or unclean on the surface; to foul; to dirty; to defile; as, to soil a garment with dust. "Our wonted ornaments now soiled and stained."

To stain or mar, as with infamy or disgrace; to tarnish; to sully.

Synonyms: To foul; dirt; dirty; begrime; bemire; bespatter; besmear; daub; bedaub; stain; tarnish; sully; defile; pollute.

Soil v. i. To become soiled; as, light colors soil sooner than dark ones.

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Etymology of 'Soiling'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Soiling" Quotes from Famous Books

... every minute was proving to him that he was capable of feeling so profound it startled him. To carry the Girl, his bride, through the valley and up the hill in the little spring wagon drawn by Betsy—that would have been his ideal way. But he had supposed that she would be afraid of soiling her dress, and embarrassed to ride in such a conveyance. Instead it was her choice. Yes, he could love her more. Hourly ...

— The Harvester • Gene Stratton Porter

... her dress looped up, and she made a picture in the evening glow that would have driven a true artist half wild with admiration; but poor Gus was quite shocked. The idea of Edith Allen, the girl he had meant to marry, grubbing in the dirt and soiling her hands in that style! It was his impression that only Dutch women worked in a garden; and for all he knew of its products she might be setting out a potato plant. Quick Edith caught his expression, and while she crimsoned with vexation at ...

— What Can She Do? • Edward Payson Roe

... in danger of falling from the tree. She has stationed her gardener, Stanislaus, to guard it. Let him watch over it. It belongs to him, and if it come to the ground, he has nobody to blame but himself. Meanwhile, should it burst, we will find means to prevent it from soiling US. Now let us speak of Turkey. That unlucky Porte must have something done for him, and while we mediate in his behalf, I hope to bring about a good understanding between Austria and Russia. Let us do our best to promote a general peace. Europe is bleeding at every ...

— Joseph II. and His Court • L. Muhlbach

... are in that mood, Mab, down goes your work," said Amy. "It would be doing something good to finish your cushion without soiling it." ...

— Daniel Deronda • George Eliot

... my house instantly, and never enter it again until you have apologized to Mrs. Crawford and her grandson for the insult offered them by your vile accusations. If it were not for soiling my hands, I would throw you down the steps,' he continued, as he stood holding the door open, and looking with his flashing eyes and dilated nostrils, as if he ...

— Tracy Park • Mary Jane Holmes

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