earthing

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle of earth.

   The technician is earthing the metal frame to prevent a dangerous fault.

   Earthing the appliance correctly directs stray current safely into the ground.

   Note

   Several verbs stand behind this participle, and only some of them take an object. In the electrical meaning, a British usage, you earth something: a technician is earthing a frame or an appliance. The same form also serves the older senses of burying something or chasing an animal into its den, plus one intransitive use, simply burrowing. Unlike the planting noun, which has the plural earthings, the verb form never takes an -s.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The practice of connecting with the earth's energy through bodily contact, such as walking barefoot, believed to improve health and vitality.

   She swears that a few minutes of earthing each morning leaves her feeling more energetic.

   After a stressful week, he turned to earthing, kicking off his shoes for a long walk on damp grass.

   Similargrounding

   Note

   Holistic wellness gave this sense its home, treating the ground as a source of energy that the body can draw on through bare skin. The health benefits are claimed rather than established, so careful writing keeps a hedge in place: earthing is said or supposed to restore vitality. It names a practice people take up, not an action done to an object, which sets it apart from the electrician's verb.

3. 3
   noununcountable

   Putting something into the ground, as when planting or burying it.

   The earthing of the new shrubs was finished just before the rain arrived.

   Proper earthing of the young vines helps shield their roots through the cold months.

   Similarplanting, burial, bedding

Showing meanings only. Show all 3