terreous en · ADJ
Etymology
Adapted borrowing of Latin terreus + -ous, from terra + -eus. By surface analysis, terra + -eous.
Meanings
-
(obsolete) Pertaining to earth; earthy.
For when the ayery interſticies are filled, […] there remaines a groſſe and terreous portion at the bottome […]
1646, Thomas Browne, “Compendiously of sundry other common Tenents, concerning Minerall and Terreous bodies, which examined, prove either false or dubious”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], London: […] T[homas] H[arper] for Edward Dod, […], →OCLC, 2nd book, page 87:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more terreous | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most terreous | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |