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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
terrestrially adv.
Etymology: ME f. L terrestris f. terra earth