[ter.res.tri.al] adj [ME, fr. L terrestris, fr. terra earth--more at terrace] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants "~ magnetism" b: mundane in scope or character: prosaic
2. a: of or relating to land as distinct from air or water "~ transportation" b (1): living on or in or growing from land "~ plants" (2): of or relating to terrestrial organisms "~ habits"
3: belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate composition) "the ~ planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars" -- terrestrial n -- ter.res.tri.al.ly adv