I. tə̇ˈrestrēəl, teˈr-, prob by r- dissimilation or/and on the analogy of “celestial” ÷-es(h)chəl or -estēəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin terrestris of the earth, of land (from terra earth, land) + Middle English -al — more at terrace
1.
a. : of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants : earthly , global
the nearest thing to an angelic being that treads this terrestrial ball — J.B.Martin
funneling an inadequate supply of United States dollars into the large terrestrial dollar deficit — Economist
b. : mundane in scope or character : earthbound , prosaic
that philosophy is essentially terrestrial , not … cosmic — J.L.Lowes
self-taught from childhood, he developed an immense terrestrial practicality — Alfred Kreymborg
2. obsolete : consisting of or resembling soil : earthy
3.
a. : of or relating to land as distinct from air or water
terrestrial transportation
sedimentary material of terrestrial origin — Journal of Geology
b.
(1) : living on or in or growing from the land
terrestrial plants
terrestrial birds
— distinguished from amphibious, aquatic, arboreal, epiphytic
(2) : of or relating to terrestrial organisms
terrestrial habits
4. astronomy : belonging to the same class with the earth
Synonyms: see earthly
II. noun
( -s )
: an inhabitant of land or of the earth
this orchid is one of the terrestrials