Earn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned; p. pr. & vb. n. Earning.]
Etymology: [AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arn 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 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. Shak. The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. Burke. Earned run (Baseball), a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.
Syn. -- See Obtain.
4 other Webster entries under this spelling
Earn, n. (Zoöl.)
See Ern, n. Sir W. Scott.
Earn, v. t. & i.
To grieve. [Obs.]
Earn, v. i.
To long; to yearn. [Obs.] And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave. Spenser.
Earn, v. i.
To curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]