Solid Ground is a phrase that has many uses, both literal and poetic. It’s best understood, however when each word is separately defined, explained and then reconnected with a literal definition. Once a literal definition is achieved, metaphoric and philosophical meanings are better understood.

Defining Solid

The word solid comes from many places, including the Latin language where it originated from the word solĭdus, which means, literally "like the soil". Solĭdus, however, originated from the latin word, solum, which means ground. This, essentially tells us that solid and ground are commonly seen as similar. To define solid in modern English, it means hard or consistent of a hard nature when used as an adjective but the word has a second meaning. Solid can also mean reliable or in-destructive.

When the word solid is used as a noun, it is usually used as a slang word. For example, in the sentence "Yeah, feeling solid would be good." solid refers to a place of comfort or strength. Philosophically and poetically, this is a common way to use the word in the complicated English language.

Ground, Defined

The word ground is also Old English, coming from the original word grund and refers to a unit or measurement of earth, land or terrain. When used as a phrase in the ground, the meaning usually refers to an immediate area of earth close by.
Ground is also the past tense form of the verb grind which means to take a solid object and break or pressure that object into many smaller pieces. This can include breaking an object down into a dust.

Together Again

When brought back together as a phrase, solid ground literally means an area of land, terrain or earth that is hard in nature or is considered reliable or strong. Simply put, any ground that is hard or capable of supporting the weight of something else, is solid ground. A great example of the phrase used this way in a sentence would be "Escape the flood and head toward solid ground". Here the phrase is used to describe a flood that has eaten away at occupied land, making the comparison rule simple.

Metaphorically, the phrase solid ground is commonly used to describe a feeling of strength. For example, in the sentence "You make me feel like I’m on solid ground", the phrase solid ground is used to describe a feeling of strength or normality. Obviously the phrase is often used to provoke a sense of importance when used poetically.

Shallow Ground is quite an interesting phrase in the American English Language. Not only does it have a practical use, but the practical use is almost never used for literal purposes. Instead, this phrase is quite often used poetically. Let’s take a closer look.

Defining Shallow

The word shallow originated from the Old English adjective schalowe, which essentially means lacking in depth or horizontal space. Shallow is definitely a reference to relevant space when making comparisons between objects. As a noun the word shallow refers to a place in a body of water that is less deep than most parts. In fact, the word shallow is most often used to describe a body of water that is not deep.

When used most commonly as a slang or morphed word, the word shallow is an adjective to describe a person who lacks in morals or character. Poetically, the word shallow is very popular because of it’s descriptive nature and various morphed meanings. In a poem, it can mean superficial or weak. For example, in a poem, the line ‘all the King’s men stand on shallow ground in this war’ might mean that the King’s soldiers are fighting for an ill cause or perhaps that they have no chance of winning.

Ground Defined

The word ground, which is a noun, comes from the Old English word grund which refers to a specific area, measurement or portion of earth, land or terrain. Because the word ground literally refers to the most common element, carbon, the word sometimes takes the connotation of seriousness or weight in the English language. For example the phrase, on solid ground means "a place of strength". For example, I have to get my feet on solid ground means "I need to become strong and settled again."

Ground is also the past tense form of the verb grind which means to take a solid object and beat or pressure that object into many. This can include breaking an object down into a dust.

Other uses for the word ground include playground, groundsmen, ground beef, ground transportation, ground shipping and grounded.

Combined

When you place the two meanings together, you have a literal definition: a measurement of land or space which lacks in depth or in comparison to another object, is shorter in horizontal space. A complex definition indeed, a simple example of literal shallow ground would be a small hole in the ground where a child might play. A deep hole would be the opposite of shallow.

Since the phrase shallow ground is most often used metaphorically and poetically in the English Language, it comes as no surprise that there was a horror movie made in 2004 which was named Shallow Ground. Not only does the title make reference to perhaps shallow graves, but poetic use of the word shallow has certainly given it power in provocation of emotion.

What is an above ground storage tank, you ask? To find out, the words in this phrase must be defined and combined. This makes it much easier to understand such a long phrase in the English language.

Defining Above

Coming from the Old English word, abufan, the word above is an adverb. It refers to a location or area in which is higher than or on top of something else. For example in the sentence, The can of peaches is on the shelf above the stove, the word above defines where the shelf is in reference to the stove. It is above the stove or higher than the stove. Another example would be The library is located above the cafeteria on the second level of the courtyard. Here the word above refers to the library’s location, which is on top of or above the cafeteria.
Metaphorically, the word is often used to describe rank, position or ego in terms of humans. For example, in the sentence You act like you’re above me, the person making this statement is saying to another that they behave as though they are a better person. In other words, this is an accusation to say your behavior makes me feel like I’m not good enough.

The Word Ground

Ground is an Old English word derived from the original word, grund. Ground is a noun which refers to a specific location, section, area, or measurement of terrain or earth. The ground is, essentially, the land you walk on. Ground refers to any portion of land.
In poetry, or an evolved usage of ground, the word is used almost metaphorically. Since ground is the most common thing on Earth and is commonly known about, it can be used to describe a situation or feeling of great sincerity or seriousness. For example, You ground me means "You make me feel important, essential or normal." Ground is obviously well used in terms of how basic something can be in the English language.

Defining Storage

The word storage is actually a very complicated word in the American English Language. It can be broken down for better understanding into two parts: store and -age, which is a suffix.
Store is an ancient word derived originally from the Latin word instaurare, which is a verb that means to keep or collect items in a specific area. The word store, however, can also be used as a noun. As a noun, a store is a place where items for trade or sale are kept for the convenience of consumers.

The suffix -age comes from the Latin language. The original word is aticum which means "to act" in Latin. The suffix -age is often used behind many words in the American English Language. Forage, encourage, bandage, bondage, appendage and carriage are all great examples of the suffix -age hard at work.

When adding the two parts to form the word storage, the meaning of storage is literally a reference to the act of keeping and collecting items in a specific area. An example of proper use of the word storage would be Put the dried goods in storage so we may eat well in the winter. In this sentence, the dried goods, when collected in the appropriate place and way, will make for healthy eating during winter when things don’t grow well.
Modernly, storage units refer to large buildings that are dedicated to providing ample space for consumers to place items during an emergency or when they accumulate too many belongings.

Defining Tank

It is unclear whether the word tank originated from Latin or Portuguese but the word can be used as a noun or a verb. In its noun form, the word refers to a container that holds liquid. A tank can also be a military machine with large, rotating belts that can crush just about anything man made in front of it. They are used in war and military occupation.

As a verb, to get tanked is to become intoxicated by alcohol. It is believed that the use of the word tanked in reference to intoxication came the military, comparing being drunk to the destructive power of a tank machine.

All Together

When the entire phrase is brought back together, it literally means a place to collect liquid in a cylinder that is located above the area referred to as land. Above ground storage tanks are usually large, white, oblong cylinders that hold flammable or toxic materials that are purposefully used. Most commonly, they hold propane, a highly flammable liquid that is used to heat.

The phrase Above Ground Pool is commonly used in the American English language to describe an invented object that is actually quite popular. In order to understand what this phrase is in reference to, breaking the phrase up into words and then breaking the words down into prefixes, suffixes and the like, is helpful to understanding it.

Defining Above

The word above comes from the Old English word abufan, which is an adverb meaning a place or point of reference in which is higher than or on top of something else. For example, the clouds in the sky are above the earth. Sometimes the clouds come in low, right on top of the earth, which we call fog.
The word can also be used metaphorically like in the phrase I am above and beyond you. In this sentence, the person making the statement is claiming to be something more than the person he or she is speaking to. This can mean that the speaker means to say he is more intelligent, attractive or possibly wealthy than the person in reference.

The Word Ground

Ground is a word that also comes from the Old English language. The word grund and is a noun which refers to a specific space, area, section or measurement of land, earth or terrain. The ground is, essentially, the land in which you walk on or any land for that matter. The word ground is used in other ways that have evolved in the American English language. For example, electricians refer to grounding something when they literally take a wire from an electrical circuit and touch it to the property earth. This is done for safety, to avoid surges of electricity from running in the opposite desired direction.

Defining Pool

The word pool is yet another word that comes from Old English, the original word being pol.
A pool is a body of water, relatively shallow (under 12 feet) which humans use during hot months to play, wade and relax in. Usually chlorinated for sanitary purposes, pools are incredibly common amongst American family homes and communities. City and county parks in America often have multiple pools large enough for dozens of families in the ares to use, who do not have one in their homes.

Defining The Phrase

When the definitions of each word in the phrase above ground pool are combined, the ultimate definition is, quite literally: A body of usually chlorinated water used for play, relaxation and recreational purposes that is located on top of or higher than the earth or terrain it is located on.

In America, an above ground pool is also known as a Doughboy. Doughboy is a manufacturer of above ground pools. Essentially, this type of pool is convenient for those on a budget who cannot afford to have contractors dig a large hole in the yard of their house and cement and tile it in for a traditional pool.

The Doughboy is a large, vinyl cylinder with an open top. The vinyl sac, essentially, is held up by a heavy duty pipe frame and is filled with chlorinated water, the same as a traditional pool. Though the Doughboy is not nearly as attractive as a traditional, in-ground pool, there are some aesthetically pleasing gazebos that are especially made for above ground pools.

The phrase ground transportation can be better understood when each word is separately identified and then combined. It should be mentioned, however, that the phrase ground transportation is not commonly used in the American language though it can be definitively described and understood in America.

The Definition of Ground

The word ground originated from the Old English language. The original word itself was grund before later becoming ground, which is still a noun that refers to a specific or non specific measurement of land, earth or terrain. Philosophically speaking, the word ground can simply mean serious or with heavy connotation. For example, "His religion is grounded in Christianity," means that the person being spoken of believes in a religion that is heavily influenced by the Christian beliefs.

Transportation, Defined

Like phrases that can be broken down for better understanding, so can American English words. Transportation can be broken down into 2 root words, each one with a different meaning which gives birth to a larger thought. The prefix transport is a verb that comes from Old French and literally means to change the location of an object or to move something. The suffix ation means the act of being or the motion of. In essence, the meaning of transportation is the act of changing or moving the location of an item or object.

Together

When you combine the words into the phrase ground transportation, we get the act of moving an object or item by method of ground. In other words, ground transportation is the moving of something by land.

Ground transportation, though not commonly used in the American English language, can refer to traveling, like in a vehicle or the transference of objects by means of a vehicle. Smaller words have been created in recent years for the common American who prefers not to waste time on properness, like shipping, sending, mailing, and driving. Technically, however, ground transportation can be used to refer to lots of transportation done on land. Walking, jogging, bicycling and riding in a car are all forms of ground transportation.

From the sound of it, the phrase ground transportation has a tone of properness and length to it, which suggest that it may be used in England or Britain rather than in America.

As with any American English phrase, the words must be pulled apart and defined then placed in order to better understand the phrase’s meanings, especially when there are multiple meanings for the phrase. In this case, the phrase ground shipping does not have multiple meanings but its meanings are not to be taken quite literally.

Defining Ground

The word ground is taken from the Old English word grund and is a noun. The word is used to represent a measurement of earth, terrain or land but is not confined to a measurement. For example, ground can refer to the solid substance that we walk on or it can refer to a specific are of land as mentioned.

Defining Shipping

Shipping is an American word that refers to the transport of goods. The word was first used when transportaion of products was done solely by or cargo boat. Thus, the term shipping means the act of being transported on a ship. Despite the fact that methods for transporting changed, the use of the American word to describe any type of transport, did not. In other words, though being transported near the earth, ground shipping is not transported by ship. Perhaps the appropriate phrase should be ground transportation.

The Phrase

When combining the two words meanings, the phrase ground shipping is born, which means: The transporting of goods or products by means of ground method. Ground shipping is usually carried out in trucks or vans which can carry many goods and products at once and deliver each of them by hand.

FedEx

Fed Ex or Federal Express, is a large corporation that provides ground shipping as well as overseas shipping and air shipping as well. They employ many people and provide benefits for their employees as well as excellent service.

UPS

UPS or United Parcel Services is another excellent, large corporation that offers shipping services. They also employ many thousands of people, providing income and benefits as well as stock options in the company. UPS has been around for many decades and continues to rule the delivery service industry alongside FedEx.

Free Ground Shipping

The word free, which means without restrictions or price, can be added to the beginning of the phrase ground shipping to add meaning. Free Ground Shipping, in essence, means that the shipping of the product by ground method is free of charge. This is an incredibly helpful and welcome service for online shoppers.

Other Uses

Other uses of the phrase would include cheap ground shipping, ground transport and interstate ground shipping.

Free Ground Shipping is certainly a blessing to those of us who make so many, many purchases online. So what is it? Let’s take a literal look at each word and define the entire phrase to understand this popular amenity that online shoppers love to take advantage of.

Identifying What Free Really is

Free is an adjective used in the English language to describe the lack of restrictions on something. Free can refer to a person’s ability to act on his own accord without being controlled by another, which can also be described as freedom. When referring to purchasing, accounts or other transactions ruled by money, the term free means without a price. In other words, a free pancake is simply a pancake that you have been given. The pancake is to be considered a gift.

Defining Ground

Coming from the Old English word grund, this noun is used in the American English language to represent earth, terrain or land. In this case, due to the complexity of the language’s connotations and technological influences on the language, free ground shipping does not mean that a ship is free for you to take from the ground. It means, in a less literal sense, that compared to other shipping methods, like by flight or over seas, ground shipping is carried out closer to the earth.

Defining Shipping

Shipping refers to the transport of goods. The word began when the first means of commercial product transport began with ships that carried them overseas. Thus, the term shipping means the act of being transported on a ship. Though technology and methods changed and expanded for Americans, the words used to describe those actions did not. Shipping is an example of this when referring to the transport of something. Despite being transported near the earth, ground shipping is not transported by ship. Perhaps the appropriate phrase should be ground transportation.

The Phrase

All together, free ground shipping is transporting a product by means of ground method at no charge to the customer. Most commonly, the method used to conduct the transporting of products, or any packages for that matter, are vehicles.

The phrase fertile ground has an obvious definition when the words are given their own meaning and then combined for an entirely new thought. This is the same concept that goes with any phrase that is used in the American English language, as has been mentioned in previous articles. Let’s take a closer look.

The Definition of Fertile

The word fertile, which originally comes from the Latin word fertilis, meaning fruitful, is an adjective used to describe whether or not a biological creature has the ability to healthily produce offspring or children. In opposition, the word infertile means that a biological creature is not capable of producing offspring healthily or at all.

In Egyptian mythology, Isis is the Mother and Fertility Goddess who inflicts fertility on anyone who gets near her. She has also been prayed to by families who wish to become pregnant.

The Definition of Ground

The word ground comes from the Old English word grund and is a noun which refers to a specific area, measurement or section of earth, land or terrain. In other words, what you walk on and what we build on is ground. However, because the word ground literally refers to the most common element, carbon, the word sometimes takes the connotation of seriousness or weight in the English language in philosophy. For example, Ground yourself! means "get a grip" or "find your stability" which is a serious, philosophical statement implying that the recipient of the phrase is not mentally well or perhaps not doing well in life.

Defining Fertile Ground

When placing the words fertile and ground together, the phrase Fertile Ground is born, which literally means a section, place or part of land, terrain or earth that is very capable of producing fruit, offspring or perhaps crops. Most likely, since the phrase is not commonly used in the American language, fertile ground refers to a field’s ability to grow anything on it.

Gardens whose soil is well cared for and amended when damaged, would be very fertile ground for most types of plants. Whether ornamental flowers, trees or shrubs, anything that grows in the ground and flourishes there is growing on fertile ground.

Other Uses for Ground

Other phrases created with the use of the word ground would include dangerous ground, a fun phrase that is never used for literal purposes. Instead, dangerous ground is used when warning another person of how delicate the subject they have at hand is. For example, "Boy, you are walking on dangerous ground," means "watch your mouth" or "I don’t like what you have to say, therefore I am threatening you if you don’t change the subject."

Ground, when attached to any other word, can take on a whole new, though still related, meaning. A groundhog, for example, is a type of rodent that burrows under the earth, usually through suburban lawns, angering home owners. When the word play is added to ground, we get playground which is, quite obviously, a place or piece of land where people come to play. Playgrounds are especially important to communities as they serve as a refuge for children who need physical activity in the afternoon, especially inner-city children.

In the complex English language, the word ground takes on so many meanings. Ground Zero refers to anything primal or at its beginning. In other words, Ground Zero for humans would be the Garden of Eden, for creationalists. For a construction site, Ground Zero would be where the work began and so on.

Ground, however, can also have its humorous evolutions into other words and phrases. Grounded is a word used most commonly amongst American parents with teenagers when banning them from leaving the house. Grounding a teenager almost always occurs after they have disobeyed, misbehaved or failed to succeed. The common use of grounded in a phrase would be You are grounded! Whether or not the practice is successful in shaping the teenager into a rule-abiding citizen still has yet to be proven.

All in all, the word ground is very necessary to any language though it is much more customized in the American version of English. Other words that have transpired from its use are underground, groundskeeper, grounds, common grounds, ground beef and ground property.

Ground Property is a phrase which, like many American phrases, is most clear when broken up and defined as two separate words.

Ground Defined

The word ground, which is a noun and comes from the Old English word grund, refers to a specific area, measurement or portion of land, earth or terrain. Because the word ground literally refers to the most common element, carbon, the word sometimes takes the connotation of seriousness or weight in the English language. For example the phrase, the ground is my shield means "my home is where I feel safest."

Property Defined

Property is a noun. It comes from Latin, proprietatem, originally. The word means an object or possession which is considered to belong to or owned by one specific person. In other words, it is anything that belongs to a keeper or owner. Personal property specifically refers to a person’s private things or items. Private property refers to land or earth that a person owns and prefers not have it visited or bothered by the public. Commercial property refers to land or earth that is owned by a business or company.

Ground Property Defined

When the two words are put together, a new word comes about that literally means a piece or portion of land, earth or terrain that belongs to one specific person, persons, or business. Since the English language has evolved, however, there is a specific tone to the phrase ground property that suggests it sometimes refers to a portion of land with nothing on it but what naturally grows there.

Examples of Ground Property

Ground property can be piece of land, really. The most popular types of ground property are public areas like playgrounds, shopping malls, public parks and gardens and more. England and Whales have enormous, gorgeous gardens that are a great example of wonderful ground property. Open, rolling hills of grass, mounds and mounds of roses and other shrubbery. The Ground Property of the Monarch of England is stunning as well.

For more information about ground properties, do a wikipedia search or an online search about ground properties in your area of the world.