Terra

n.

1.

The earth; earth. Terra alba (Com.) a white amorphous earthy substance consisting of burnt gypsum, aluminium silicate (kaolin), or some similar ingredient, as magnesia. It is sometimes used to adulterate certain foods, spices, candies, paints, etc. Terra cotta Baked clay; a kind of hard pottery used for statues, architectural decorations, figures, vases, and the like. Terræ filius formerly, one appointed to write a satirical Latin poem at the public acts in the University of Oxford; - not unlike the prevaricator at Cambridge, England. Terra firma firm or solid earth, as opposed to water. Terra Japonica Same as Gambier. It was formerly supposed to be a kind of earth from Japan. Terra Lemnia Lemnian earth. See under Lemnian. Terra ponderosa (Min.) barite, or heavy spar. Terra di Sienna See Sienna.