Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Earn

Earn (ẽrn) , noun

(Zoology) See Ern, n. — Sir W. Scott

Earn (ẽrn) , transitive verb

[Anglo-Saxon earnian; akin to Old High German arnōn to reap, aran harvest, German ernte, Gothic asans harvest, asneis hireling, Anglo-Saxon esne; compare Icelandic onn 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. — Shakespeare
The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. — Burke
Collocations (1)
Earned run (Baseball) , a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.

Earn (ẽrn) , verb, transitive and intransitive

[See 1st Yearn.]

To grieve. [Obsolete]

Earn , intransitive verb

[See 4th Yearn.]

To long; to yearn. [Obsolete]
And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave. — Spenser

Earn , intransitive verb

[Anglo-Saxon irnan to run. r11. See Rennet, and compare Yearnings.]

To curdle, as milk. [Provincial English]