terrestrial
Not straying far from its Latin root terra, meaning "earth," terrestrial means "of the earth." If it's terrestrial, you'll find it on earth. If it's extraterrestrial, you'll find it emerging from a UFO.
The adjective terrestrial can also be used to describe something that lives on land (as opposed to living in water, for example). "On their trip to the rain forest, the scientists were charged with cataloging terrestrial animals. Another group was going to be in charge of cataloging the aquatic animals." The adjective can also be used to describe something that is mundane in character. The teenager cried, "My life is boring and full of terrestrial events like going to band practice and to class!"
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of or relating to or characteristic of the planet Earth or its inhabitants“this terrestrial ball”synonyms: planetary
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concerned with the world or worldly matters
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of this earth
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of or relating to or inhabiting the land as opposed to the sea or air
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operating or living or growing on landantonyms:aquaticoperating or living or growing in wateramphibiousoperating or living on land and in watermarinenative to or inhabiting the seaamphibiotichaving a life cycle in which early stages are lived in water and later stages are lived primarily or partially on land
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Vocabulary lists containing terrestrial
Planets and their moons have complex relationships as they spin through space around the sun. These words describe their motions and relationships, and will help you understand the gravity of the situation.
The ancients believed that the universe was composed of five basic elements: earth, air, fire, water, and sky. The Greek and Latin words for these elements still show up in our language today. Learn these words that come from the Latin word terra, meaning "earth." Here are links to our complete set of Elements of the Universe lists: Cosm, Cosmo ("Universe") / Terr, Terra ("Earth") / Geo ("Earth") / Hydr, Hydro ("Water") / Aqua ("Water") / Ign, Igni ("Fire") / Pyr, Pyro ("Fire") / Aer, Aero ("Air") / Aether ("Sky") / Aster, Astro ("Star") / Sol ("Sun")