An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

All loose, unconsolidated earth and organic materials above bedrock that support plant growth.

Etymology (EN): M.E. soile, O.Fr. soil “piece of ground, place,” from L. solium “seat,” meaning confused with that of L. solum “soil, ground.”

Etymology (PE): Xâk, from Mid.Pers. xâk “earth, dust,” ultimately from Proto-Ir. *āika-, from *āi- “earth, soil,” cf. Av. āi- “earth, soil,” Gk. aia “earth, land,” + suffix -ka. The initial x- is a prothesis, as in xâya “egg” (Gershevitch 1962).