A large ball of soil (5)

I believe the answer is:

earth

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'soil' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for earth that I've seen before include "electrical safety precaution" , "Make electrics safe" , "Solid ground" , "Dirty hole" , "Badger or fox burrow" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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