adj. & n.
adj. 1 of or on or relating to the earth; earthly. 2 a of or on dry land. b Zool. living on or in the ground (opp. AQUATIC, ARBOREAL, AERIAL). c Bot. growing in the soil (opp. AQUATIC, EPIPHYTIC). 3 Astron. (of a planet) similar in size or composition to the earth. 4 of this world, worldly (terrestrial sins; terrestrial interests).
n. an inhabitant of the earth. a terrestrial globe a globe representing the earth. the terrestrial globe the earth. terrestrial magnetism the magnetic properties of the earth as a whole. terrestrial telescope a telescope giving an erect image for observation of terrestrial objects. terrestrially adv.
[ ME f. L terrestris f. terra earth ]