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Terra

Terra

14 9.9
A Roman goddess of the earth who protects marriage and helps crops grow
  • proper noun
  • /ˈtɛrə/
  • Literature
translation icon : Terra
  • In Roman mythology, Terra is revered as the goddess of the earth and fertility.

Examples

  • The ancient Romans celebrated festivals in honor of Terra, honoring her role in agriculture.

  • Many artifacts found in Italy depict Terra alongside figures representing marriage and family.

  • Besides, one virtue of life on Terra is that we know our neighbors.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • That's why Terra is there, to protect my investment.

  • "For the first time since I was born on Terra, I don't know what tomorrow will bring."

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Brad and I were married at the Terra Gallery in downtown San Francisco on August 4.

    Blog text (14)
  • By some extraordinary luck, our people found Terra and she's here.

Synonyms

Gaia
vsTerra
  • Literature
8 8.9

A Greek goddess who is the Earth and mother of the Titans

is the Roman form stressing marriage and fertility rather than broad motherhood
Tellus
vsTerra
  • Literature
5 9.9

A Roman earth goddess who protects marriage and helps crops grow

is the alternate Roman name with the same role
Gaea
vsTerra
  • Literature
3 9.9

The Greek earth goddess who is mother of Cronus and the Titans

is the Roman equivalent focusing on protection of marriage and fertility

Idioms

To step onto solid ground after being on a boat or in a plane

Compounds

4 5.6

Solid dry land that is not the sea or air

3 5.4

Hard baked clay used to make pots, tiles, and statues

A place or subject that people do not know yet

1 5.0

A brownish-orange color like baked clay

terra sigillata
  • Specialized
9.9

Fine shiny red Roman pottery made from clay

terra alba
  • Specialized
9.9

A fine white powder used to make paint, paper, and food look whiter

Surface Forms

Terra main

Etymology

Terra comes from the Latin word terra, meaning 'earth' or 'land'. As a Roman goddess she was like 'Mother Earth', who gives life to crops and people, so farmers prayed to her for fertile soil and help with marriage and family. You can see the same root in words like terrain and territory, which also talk about land.