terrain English · revision 15152

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1727|origins=la terra}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /təˈreɪn/, /terˈeɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|terrain|t=piece of earth, ground, land]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la-vul|*terrānum]], an alteration of [[la|terrēnum|t=land, ground]], the neuter of [[m|la|terrēnus|t=of the earth]] (see [[terrene]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|terra|t=earth, land]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*ters-|t=to dry]].^(Etymonline) Latin terra is cognate with [[osc|teeróm|t=territory]] and [[sga|tīr|t=territory]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Ground for training horses: 1727, in Bailey's Dictionary.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A tract of country considered for its natural features is from 1766.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline says it was little used except as a French word until it emerged about 1825 in its scientific sense, through translations of French geologists.^(Etymonline) In geology it was a series of rock formations from 1823, usually spelled [[terrane]].^(OED 1989) Figurative uses are from 1860,^(OED 1989) and ''terrain-following radar'' from 1961.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1727 – ground for training horses.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1766 – a tract of country.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – a series of rocks (geology).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1860 – figurative terrain.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – terrain-following radar.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Ground or a tract of land, especially with regard to its physical features or military use: ''mountainous terrain''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The surface features of an area; [[topography]].^(AHD)

+ # A particular geographic area; a region.^(AHD)

+ # ''(geology)'' A variant of terrane.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[all-terrain vehicle]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[terrene]]

+ * [[terrestrial]]

+ * [[territory]]

+ * [[terrace]]

+ * [[terra]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}