terras films 
The assembly now return'd to the Theater, where the 
Terra Jilius (the Universitie Buffoone) entertain 'd the au- 
ditorie with atedious, abusive, sarcastieal rhapsodic, most 
unbecoming the gravity of the Universitie. 
Evelyn, Diary, July 10, 1669. 
terrage 1 (ter'aj), . [< F. terre (< L. terra), 
earth, + -age. 'Ct.terage.] A mound of earth, es- 
pecially a small one, as in a flower-pot, in which 
plants can be set for household decoration. 
terrage 2 (ter'aj), n. [Also ferriage; < OF. ter- 
rage, field-rent, < terre, land: see terra.] In 
old Eng. law, an exaction or fee paid to the 
owner of the land for some license, privilege, 
or exemption, such, for instance, as leave to 
dig or break the earth for a grave, or in setting 
up a market or fair, or for freedom from service 
in tillage, or for being allowed an additional 
holding, etc. 
terrain (te-ran'), n. [Also sometimes terrane; 
< F. terrain, terrein, ground, a piece of ground, 
soil, rock, = It. terreno, < L. terrenum, land, 
ground, prop. neut. of terrenus, consisting of 
earth, < terra, earth : see terra, terrene.] A part 
of the earth's surface limited in extent; a region, 
district, or tract of land, either looked at in a 
general way or considered with reference to its 
fitness or use for some special purpose, as for 
a building-place or a battle-field: a term little 
used in English except in translating from the 
French, and then with the same meaning which 
it has in the original. The word is, however, also used 
in various idiomatic expressions, in translating a number 
of which the English word " ground " is most properly em- 
ployed: as, "gagnerdu terrain," to gain ground; "perdre 
du terrain," to lose ground, favor, or credit; also with 
various metaphorical significations: as, "etre sur son 
terrain," to have to do with, or to speak of, that with 
which one is thoroughly familiar ; " Bonder le terrain," 
examine the conditions, or look into the matter, etc. As 
used by French geologists, the word terrain has a some- 
what vague meaning, and is usually limited by some qual- 
ifying term : as, "terrain &e transition," "terrain primitif." 
This word was introduced into English geological litera- 
ture by the translator of HumboldtVEssaiGeognostique," 
where it was used, as he remarks, "because we have no 
word in the English language which will accurately ex- 
press terrain as used in geology by the French." Also 
spelled (but rarely) terrane. 
Hocks which alternate with each other, and which are 
found usually together, and which display the same re- 
lations of position, constitute the same formation ; the 
union of several formations constitutes a geological series 
or a district (terrain) ; but the terms rocks, formations, 
and terrains are used as synonymous in many works on 
geognosy. 
Humboldt, Geognostical Essay on the Superposition of 
[Rocks (trans.), p. 2. 
This term [terrane] is used for any single rock or con- 
tinuous series of rocks of a region, whether the formation 
be stratified or not. It is applied especially to metamor- 
phlc and igneous rocks, as a basaltic terrane, etc. 
J. D. Dana, Man. of Geol. (rev. ed.), p. 81. 
terramara (ter-a-ma'ra), .; pi. terramare (-re). 
[< It. terra amara, bitter earth (a term used in 
the vicinity of Parma) : terra, < L. terra, earth ; 
amara, fern, of amaro,< L. amarus, bitter.] Any 
stratum or deposit of earthy material contain- 
ing organic or mineral matter (such as bones or 
phosphates) in sufficient quantity to furnish a 
valuable fertilizer ; hence, a deposit containing 
prehistoric remains, as fragments of bones and 
pottery, cinders, etc., of similar character to the 
deposits called in northern Europe Mtchen-mid- 
dens. There are large numbers of these terramare on 
the plain traversed by the Via Emilia between the Po and 
the Apennines ; some of them are intermediate in char- 
acter between the kitchen-middens of Denmark and the 
palafittesof Switzerland, appearing to mark sites of settle- 
ments originally built on piles in shallow lakes (or perhaps 
on marshy ground subject to frequent inundation), which 
have gradually become desiccated while the stations con- 
tinued to be occupied. 
terrane, . See terrain. 
terranean (te-ra'ne-an), a. [< L. terra, earth, 
+ -an + -e-an (after subterranean, mediter- 
ranean, etc.).] Being in the earth ; belonging 
to the earth, or occurring beneath the surface 
of the earth. 
The great strain on the trolley wire which would be a 
necessary incident of terranean supply renders such a 
system impracticable. Elect. Rev. (Amer.), XVm. i. 9. 
terraneous (te-ra'ne-us), a. [< L. terra, earth, 
+ -an + -e-ous (after subterraneous).] In bot., 
growing on land. 
terrapenet, . An obsolete variant of terrapin. 
Terrapenes (ter-a-pe'nez), . pi. [NL. : see 
terrapin.] A subdivision of Emydea (which 
see), in which the pelvis is free, the neck bends 
in a vertical plane, and the head may be al- 
most completely retracted within the carapace. 
Huxley. The group contains such genera as Emys, Cis- 
tudo, Chelydra, Cinosternum, and Staurotypus. The other 
subdivision of Emydea is Chelodines. See cuts under 
Cinosternum, Ctsfwdo, and terrapin. 
terrapin (ter'a-pin), . [Formerly also tera- 
pin, terrapene,'turpin; supposed to be of Amer. 
6246 
Ind. origin.] 1. One of several different fresh- 
water or tide-water tortoises of the family 
Emydidx; specifically, in the United States, 
the diamond-back, Halademmys or Malacoclem- 
mys palustris, of the Atlantic coast from New 
Diamond-backed Terrapin (Malt 
lys palustris). 
York to Texas, famous among epicures. See 
diamond-backed turtle (under diamond-backed), 
and Malaclemmys. In trade use the sexes are distin- 
guished as hi'lt and* cow, and small ones as little bulls and 
heifers respectively. Those under 5 or 6 inches in total 
length of the under shell are termed cuttings, of which it 
takes from 18 to 24 or more to make a "dozen." Those 
of 6 inches and more are counts or counters, of 12 to the 
dozen. Only the cows reach 6J to 7 inches in this mea- 
surement ; these are known to dealers as full counts, and 
are especially valuable because they usually contain eggs ; 
the bulls are tougher as well as smaller, and of less market 
value. 
2. Some other tortoise or turtle: as, the ele- 
phant terrapin of the Galapagos. 3. A dish 
made of the diamond-back. 
Terrapin is essentially a Philadelphia dish. Baltimore 
delights in it, Washington eats it, New York knows it, 
but in Philadelphia it approaches a crime not to be pas- 
sionately fond of it. J. W. Forney, The Epicure. 
Alligator terrapin. See alligator-terrapin. Diamond- 
backed terrapin, the diamond-backed turtle. See dia- 
mond-bacltrd, and def. 1. Elephant terrapin. See ele- 
phant tortoise, under tortoise. Mud-terrapin, any mud- 
turtle, as of the genus Cinosternum. [U. 5. ] Painted 
terrapin or turtle, Chrysemys picta, of the United States. 
See Chrysemys. Pine-barren terrapin, the gopher of 
the southern United States, Testudo Carolina. Red-bel- 
lied terrapin, Chrysemys rubriventris or Pseudemys ru- 
gosa; the potter or red-fender. See cut under slider. 
Salt-marsh or salt-water terrapin, in the United 
States, one of several different Emydidse of salt or brack- 
ish water, among them the diamond-back and slider. See 
cut above, and cut under slider. Speckled terrapin, 
the spotted turtle, Chelopus guttatus, a small fresh-water 
tortoise of the United States, whose black carapace has 
round yellow spots. Yellow-bellied terrapin, Pseu- 
demyt scabra, of southern parts of the United States. 
terrapin-farm (ter'a-pin-farm), . A place 
where the diamond-back is cultivated. 
terrapin-paws (ter'a-pin-paz), n. sing, and pi. 
A pair of long-handled tongs used in catching 
terrapin. [Chesapeake Bay.] 
terraquean (te-ra'kwe-an), a. [< terraque-ous 
+ -an.] Terraqueous. [Rare.] 
This terraquean globe. Macmillaris Mag., III. 471. 
terraqueous (te-ra'kwe-us), a. [< L. terra, 
earth, -I- aqua, water (see aqueous).] Consist- 
ing of land and water, as the globe or earth. 
I find but one thing that may give any just offence, and 
that is the Hypothesis of the Terraqueous globe, where- 
with I must confesse my self not to be satisfied. 
Kay, in Letters of Eminent Men, II. 159. 
terrart, . Same as terrier^. 
terrarium (te-ra'ri-um), n.; pi. terrariums, ter- 
raria (-umz, -a) . [< L. terra, earth : a word mod- 
eled on aquarium.] A vivarium for land ani- 
mals; a place where such animals are kept 
alive for study or observation. 
Herr Fischer-Sigwart describes the ways of a snake, Tro- 
pidonotus tesselatus, which he kept in his terrarium in 
Zurich. Science, XV. 24. 
terras 1 t, n. An obsolete form of terrace 1 . 
terras 2 (te-ras'), n. Same as trass. 
terrasphere (ter'a-sfer), . [Irreg. < L. terra, 
earth, + Or. agalpa, sphere.] Same as tellurian. 
terrasse, n. Same as terrace^. 
terre 1 !, v. t. Same as tor 2 . 
terre 2 t, v. t. [< F. terrer, < terre, earth: see 
terra. Cf. inter, atter.] To strike to the earth. 
"Loe, heere my gage" (he terr'd his gloue); 
"Thou know'st the victor's meed." 
Warner, Albion's England, Hi. 128. 
terreent (te-ren'), n. See tureen. 
terreityt (te-re'i-ti), n. [< L. terra + -e-ity.] 
Earthiness. [Rare.] 
terrestrial 
The aqueity, 
Terreity, and sulphureity 
Shall run together again, and all be annull'd. 
B. Jonson, Alchemist, ii. 1. 
terrelt (ter'el), . [Also terrella, terella; < NL. 
terrella, dim. of L. terra, earth : see terra.] A 
spherical figure so placed that its poles, equa- 
tor, etc., correspond exactly to those of the 
earth, for showing magnetic deviations, etc. 
terrellat (te-rel'a), n. Same as terrel. 
I was shew'd a pretty Terrella, described with all y 
circles, and shewing all y magnetic deviations. 
Evelyn, Diiiry, July 3, 1656. 
Terrell grass. A species of wild rye, or lyme- 
grass, Elymns Virginicus, a coarse grass, but 
found useful for forage in the southern United 
States: so named from a promoter of its use. 
terremotet (ter'e-mot), . [ME., < OF. terre- 
mote, < ML. terree motus, earthquake: L. terrse, 
gen. of terra, earth; motus, movement, < movere, 
pp. motus, move : see motion.] An earthquake. 
All the halle quoke, 
As it a terremote were. Gower, Conf. Amant., vi. 
terremotive (ter-e-mo'tiv), a. [< terremote + 
-ive.] Of, pertaining to, characterized by, or 
causing motion of the earth's surface ; seismic. 
[Rare.] 
We may mark our cycles by the greatest known par- 
oxysms of volcanic and terremotive agency. 
Whewett, Philos. of Inductive Sciences, X. iii. 4. 
terrene 1 (te-ren'), and . [= Sp. Pg. It. ter- 
reno, < L. terrenus, of, pertaining to, or consist- 
ing of earth (neut. terrenum, land, ground: see 
terrain), < terra, earth, land: see terra.] I. a. 
Of or pertaining to the earth ; earthly ; terres- 
trial: as, terrene substance. 
I beleue noght that terrene boody sothlesse 
Of lusty beute may haue such richesse, 
So moche of swetnesse, so moche of connyng, 
As in your gentil body is beryng. 
Bom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), 1. 417. 
These thick vapours of terrene affections will be dis 
persed. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 386. 
I would teach him . . . that Mammonism was, not the 
essence of his or of my station in God's Universe, but the 
adscititioua excrescence of it ; the gross, terrene, godless 
embodiment of it. Carlyle. 
II. . The earth. [Rare.] 
Over many a tract 
Of heaven they march'd, and many a province wide, 
Tenfold the length of this terrene. Milton, P. L., vi. 78. 
terrene 2 t, * See terrine, tureen. 
terrenelyt, adv. [ME. terrenly; < terrene 1 + 
-ly 2 .] As regards lands. 
I Hym make my proper enheritour, 
For yut shall he be wurthy terrenly. 
Rom. of Partenay (E. E. T. 3.), 1. 6014. 
terrenity (te-ren'i-ti), n. [< terrene 1 + -ity.] 
The state or character of being terrene ; world- 
liness. 
Being overcome . . . debases all the spirits to a dull 
and low terrenity. Feltham, Resolves. 
terreoust (ter'e-us), a. [= Sp. Pg. It. terreo, < 
L. terreus, earthen, < terra, earth : see terra. Cf. 
terrosity.] Earthy ; consisting of earth. 
According to the temper of the terreous parts at the bot- 
tom, variously begin intumescencies. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err. 
terre-plein (tar'plan), n. [F., < terre, earth, + 
plein tor plain, level, flat : see terra and plain 1 .] 
1. In fort., the top, platform, or horizontal sur- 
face of a rampart, on which the cannon are 
placed. 2. The plane of site or level surface 
around a field-work. 
terresityt, . See terrosity. 
terrestret, a. [ME., < OF. (and F.) terrestre = 
Pr. Sp. Pg. It. terrestre, < L. terrestris, of or be- 
longing to the earth, < terra, earth : see terra. 
Cf. terrestrial.] Terrestrial; earthly. 
Heere may ye se, and heerby may ye preve, 
That wyf is niannes helpe and his contort, 
His Paradys terrestre, and his disport. 
Chaucer, Merchant's Tale, 1. 88. 
terrestreity (ter-es-tre'i-ti), . Admixture of 
earth. 
Sulphur itself ... is not quite devoid of terrestreity. 
Boyle, Mechanical Hypotheses. 
Terrestres (te-res'trez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of L. 
terrestris, of or belonging to the earth : see 
terrestre, terrestrial.] In ornith., one of three 
series into which birds were formerly divided, 
containing the rasorial and cursorial forms: 
contrasted with Aereee and Aquaticte: more ful- 
ly called Aves terrestres. 
terrestrial (te-res'tri-al), a. and n. [< ME. 
terrestriall, < OF. terrestrial, < L. terrestris, of or 
belonging to the earth (see terrestre), + -al.] 
I. a. 1. Of or pertaining to the earth; exist- 
ing on the earth ; earthly : opposed to celestial: 
as, terrestrial bodies; terrestrial magnetism. 
