terr-, terra-, -ter

The trade name for an antibiotic: The name Terramycin ™ owes its name to the fact that it was isolated from a soil mold.

1. In geology, a series of related rock formations: A terrane normally has one predominant kind of rock.
2. An area having a proponderance of a particular rock or rock groups: A terrane is a stretch of land that has a predominance of a certain kind of rock or a group of rocks.
3. A section of the Earth's crust that is defined by clear fault boundaries: A terrane has stratigraphic and structural properties that distinguish it from adjacent rocks.

Pertaining to or living on the land or ground surface; terrestrial: Some interesting terraneous plants can be found in the Mojave National Preserve in California, like the white fir juniper, the pinyon pine, the yucca, and the Joshua Tree.

Referring to land and water: The Earth is a terraqueous globe.

This reference is given as a description of the Earth's surface, of which more than three fifths consist of water, and the remainder of Earth or solid materials.

1. A small enclosure or closed container in which selected living plants and sometimes a vivarium for small land animals, such as turtles and lizards, are kept and observed in a simulated natural environment, as distinguished from an aquarium for aquatic animals: The teacher arranged for someone to take care of the terrarium during the holidays and to water the various plants which grew in it.
2. A sealed glass container often in the shape of a globe that is used for growing ornamental plants that require a high level of humidity: Dina's aunt had two large terraria in which she grew exotic plants in her solarium.
3. Etymology: from Latin terra, "earth" and modeled on aquarium; because it was designed as a place for land animals instead of water creatures.

They will enlighten [many] lands.

Motto of Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. Also translated as, "Let them illuminate the lands." Also, "May they illumine the earth."

1. In architecture, a type of mosaic used as a floor or wall covering: A terrazzo is made by laying marble or stone chips in mortar and grinding them to a polished level surface:
2. Etymology:, from Italian, "terrace", Early 20th century.

1. City and county seat in western Indiana, on the eastern bank of the Wabash River, northwest of Bloomington and southwest of Indianapolis: Terre Haute was established as Fort Harrison in 1811.
2. Etymology: from French Terre haute; literally, haute "elevated, upper" or "high" and terre "land" ["High Land" or "Upper Land"?].

A magnetic model of the Earth: A terrella is spherical, has the properties of a magnet, and is used to simulate and demonstrate the Earth's magnetic fields.

Relating to seismic motion or activity: An earthquake can case drastic terremotive vibrations and movements in the globe.

1. Of or relating to Earth; earthly: Cats, for example, are terrene creatures that do not inhabit the air or sea.
2. Of or belonging to the Earth; worldly; mundane: Some people think that terrene things, like everyday and ordinary routines, are uninteresting in comparison to the exceptional delights of Heaven.

Outdated, referring to earth; earthy: In his geology class, Jim examined the terreous substances and terreous particles by using his microscope.

1. Obsolete, a platform or level ground surface on which heavy guns are mounted behind the parapet at the top of a rampart: A terreplein is distinguished from the somewhat higher banquette used by its defenders.
2. The top of a rampart where guns are mounted: Tom made sure that the terreplein was the right place for their artillery.

1. Pertaining to, or living habitually on, the land or ground surface: Most domestic animals are terrestrial and exist on the surface of the ground.
2.Regarding life or development in or on the land: Most terrestrial plants thrive very well on good soil.
3. Relating to the land or to the planet Earth: Jim had to plow his terrestrial fields for the upcoming season.
4. Concerning the Earth or its inhabitants: Examples of terrestrial residents or dwellers in the world are people, animals, and plants.
5. Pertaining to a worldly, mundane character or quality: Sam was a very down-to-earth person who had a quite terrestrial nature and lived in an ordinary way.
6. Refering to, or composed of land: William's property was terrestrial with no lakes or streams.
7. In biology, pertaining to something living or growing on land; not aquatic_ The students learned in class that terrestrial plants or animals were those that did not live in seas or oceans.
8. Etymology, about 1432, from Latin terrestris "earthly", from terra "earth". Originally opposed to celestial; natural history sense of "living on land" is attested from 1638. The noun meaning "a human being, a mortal" is recorded from 1598.

Carbon that is contained in vegetation and soil: Tom had his garden soil tested and it turned out to contain terrestrial carbon, which had many positive aspects, like increasing microbial activity.