v. t. & i. [ See 1st Yearn. ] To grieve. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ See 4th Yearn. ] To long; to yearn. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And ever as he rode, his heart did earn
To prove his puissance in battle brave. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Earned p. pr. & vb. n. Earning. ] [ AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arnōn 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). [ 1913 Webster ]

The high repute
Which he through hazard huge must earn. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I earn that [ what ] I eat. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Earned run (Baseball), a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.

Syn. -- See Obtain. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ AS. irnan to run. √11. See Rennet, and cf. Yearnings. ] To curdle, as milk. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zoöl.) See Ern, n. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. Gained as a result of effort or action; -- used especially of income; as, earned income. Contrasted with unearned. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. (Baseball) not resulting from an error by an opposing team; -- used in the phrase earned runs. [ PJC ]

n. someone who earns wages in return for labor.
Syn. -- wage earner. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. 'orny`nai to excite, L. oriri to rise. ] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers. [ 1913 Webster ]

An earnest advocate to plead for him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Serious; important. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They whom earnest lets do often hinder. Hooker.

Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To use in earnest. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To earnest them [ our arms ] with men. Pastor Fido (1602). [ 1913 Webster ]