Earn, v. i. [AS. irnan to run.
√11. See Rennet, and cf. Yearnings.] To
curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]
Earn, v. i. [See 4th Yearn.]
To long; to yearn. [Obs.]
And ever as he rode, his heart did earn
To prove his puissance in battle brave.
Spenser.Earn (?), v. t. & i. [See 1st
Yearn.] To grieve. [Obs.]
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.
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.
Earn (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Ern, n. Sir W.
Scott.