Forms: α. 1 earnian, 2–4 ernie(n, erne(n, 5 arne, 6–7 earne, 7– earn. β. 1 ʓeearnian, 2 ȝearnien, iarnien, iernien, 6 ȝarn, yerne, yearne, yarn, (9 dial. yearn, yarn). [OE. earnian, ʓe-earnian, repr. an OTeut. type *aznôjan, f. *aznâ (ON. ǫnn) labor, properly field-labor, connected with Goth. asans, OHG. aran (whence MHG. erne, mod.G. ernte) harvest, Goth. asneis, OHG. esni hired laborer, OE. esne serf, laborer, man. The primary sense is therefore ‘to obtain as the reward of labor.’ The OE. earnian corresponds in meaning with OHG. arnên, but in form with OHG. arnôn, which derives its sense ‘to reap’ independently from the sb.
The ME. forms with initial ȝ or y may in some cases descend from OE. ʓe-earnian; the mod. dial. forms with y prob. represent the simple vb.; cf. yerth, yale for earth, ale (OE. ealo).
1. trans. To render an equivalent in labor or service for (wages); hence, to obtain or deserve (money, praise, any advantage) as the reward of labor. In early use in wider sense: To deserve; to obtain as a recompense. (In OE. the simple vb. governs the genit. case, the compound ʓe-earnian the accusative.)
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., in Sweet, Ags. Reader (ed. 5), ix. 47. Wuton agifan ðæm esne [Orpheus] his wif, for ðæm he hi hæfð ʓeearnad mid his hearpunga.
a. 1000. Guthlac, 767 (Gr.). Soðfæstra saula … earniað on eorðan ecan lifes.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 223. Þat hi sceoldan mid edmodnisse & mid hersamnisse ȝearnie þa wuniunge on here rice.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 93. Þet ðeo edmode isomnunge iernade et gode, þet muchel er þe engles … forluren.
a. 1529. Skelton, Vox Populi, I. 339. Yoke man … trewly his goodes to yerne.
1529. Lyndesay, Complaynt, 50. Lang seruyce ȝarnis ay rewaird.
1591. Nashe, Prognost., 23. Many shall drinke more than they can yearne.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), 107. There was earned in four years … the summ of four Millions.
1771. Junius Lett., xlvi. 331. These praises … have been dearly earned.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Loom & Lugger, I. i. 8. Do they all earn wages?
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 359/2. ‘I must look out and yearn my own living while I was a mere chick.’
1851. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., II. III. I. xv. § 11. The effort of men to earn, rather than to receive, their salvation.
1863. Barry, Dockyard Econ., 147. Go into any private workshop where old men are earning as much as young men, and you will find that they are earning it.
b. Of qualities or actions: To procure as a direct consequence (a name, reputation, etc.) for a person.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. i. 40. The which shal nought to you but foule dishonor yearne.
1876. Green, Short Hist., iii. § 7 (1882), 148. The stern justice of his rule earned the hatred of the disorderly baronage.
Mod. His eccentricities had earned for him the nickname of ‘The Madman.’
c. Of money invested; also of an implement, etc.: To be the means of producing (an income or money return).
1887. Times, 28 Sept., 5/2. The line … would earn at least four per cent.
† d. intr. To do work for (a reward or result).
1589. Warner, Alb. Eng., VI. xxx. (1612), 148.
| Now Mars in heauen, Anchises and Adonis on the earth | |
| May earne for Babes, for Vulcan shall be parent at their birth. |
† 2. absol. To deserve well or ill. Obs. [cf. L. bene mereri.]
961. Eadgifu, Charter, in Sweet, Ags. Reader (ed. 4), 55. Heo ne dorste for Gode hem swa leanian swa he hire to ʓeearnud hæfde.
1622. Dekker, etc. Virgin Mart., IV. i. Wks. 1873, IV. 59. A piece of Roman gold With Cæsar’s stamp, such as he sends his captains When in the wars they earn well.
3. [cf. OHG. arnôn to reap.] To glean. dial.
1876. Mid. Yorksh. Gloss. (E. D. S.).
Hence Earned ppl. a., purchased by an equivalent in labor; esp. in phrases well-earned, hardly-earned. Earner, one who or that which earns.
1612. Rowlands, Knave of Harts, C iv.
| Before Ile put my body in a sweate, | |
| And make my hands the earners of my meate. |
1614. Cornwallis, in Gutch, Coll. Cur., I. 162. Nor make him so dear an earner of our monies.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 75. The well earned promotion of his chaplain.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 10 Feb., 11/2. Unearned incomes should be taxed before earned incomes.
1886. Manch. Exam., 3 Nov., 5/5. The wives of wage earners.
