Earn \Earn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned; p. pr. & vb. n.
Earning.]
[AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arn?n to reap, aran
harvest, G. ernte, Goth. asans harvest, asneis hireling, AS.
esne; cf. Icel. ["o]nn 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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