earth-tilth

English

Etymology

From Middle English erthe-tilthe, equivalent to earth +‎ tilth.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪlθ

Noun

earth-tilth (uncountable)

1. (rare, archaic or dialectal) Cultivation of the ground; farming; agriculture.
   • 1994, Paul Matthews, With My Heart in My Mouth:

     Dumb-founded Nature You will crown the chorale of our hearts The day you rise - Who give us weight, earth-tilth And tincture - God will fill the opening Of your eyes.

   • 2000, Nancy Varian Berberick, A Child of Elvish - Page 101:

     "That was my mother's father," Grandfather Crey had said. "And he used to say 'feather-heeled' when he meant agile. A horse's fetlock was his 'foot-lock,' and we fanners did not engage in farming, young Joze, we engaged in 'earth-tilth.'