On Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Fernando Trebien < fernando.treb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> It seems that: > - if a surface can be grass or paved, asphalt, concrete, > paving_stones, etc., then it seems the only reason to state "the > surface consists of ground" is if it's unpaved and without vegetation, > right? > - the American usage of "dirt" (as in "your car will get dirty") is a > broad description for 3 more specific values: earth, gravel and > compacted (different from loose gravel or soil) > > Ground has multiple meanings some of which are very broad. When speaking of "I walk the ground", "breaking ground" (as in construction or farming), "above ground", or "below ground"; it would seem to fit the Oxford definition of: the solid surface of the earth (world). The dictionary also gives a definition of ground as a generic term to be qualified, such as "marshy ground". (And to muddle things, when you think it might mean a natural surface - the Oxford gives the (British) definition of "the floor of a room".) Upon seeing surface=ground for a road, my first reaction is to wonder what is meant by that? Upon pondering, it is a land surface of the world that is not raised or improved but may be worn and could be almost any natural surface which may include ruts through vegetation. Of course I could ponder more and give another dozen definitions; many conflicting. "Ground" is a poor term because it has so many similar, but still different meanings (very ambiguous) when used to describe a surface; with its most common meaning being very general and not describing the material of the surface. As to American usage of "dirt", the example is poor -- if you stick with the noun, not the related adjective, saying "your pants have dirt on them" would likely be interpreted as loam, clay, soil, or the like; not gravel. To me, a "dirt road" is most often a natural soil (clay, loam, sand, etc.). It may be compacted or graded. I would refer to a road surfaced with gravel as a "gravel road".
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