Earn v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned p. pr. & vb. n. Earning.]
 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.   --Shak.
    The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow.   --Burke.
 Earned run Baseball, a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.
 Syn: -- See Obtain.
 earned run
      n : a run that was not scored as the result of an error by the
          other team [ant: unearned run]