terrain

noun

1. a tract of land, especially as considered with reference to its natural features, military advantages, etc.
2. Geology. terrane.

noun

1. ground or a piece of ground, esp with reference to its physical character or military potentialradio reception can be difficult in mountainous terrain; a rocky terrain
2. a variant spelling of terrane

n.1727, “ground for training horses,” from French terrain “piece of earth, ground, land,” from Old French (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *terranum, from Latin terrenum “land, ground,” from neuter of terrenus “of earth, earthly,” from terra “earth, land,” literally “dry land” (as opposed to “sea”); from PIE root *ters- “to dry” (cf. Sanskrit tarsayati “dries up,” Avestan tarshu- “dry, solid,” Greek teresesthai “to become or be dry,” Latin torrere “dry up, parch,” Gothic þaursus “dry, barren,” Old High German thurri, German dürr, Old English þyrre “dry;” Old English þurstig “thirsty”). Meaning “tract of country, considered with regard to its natural features” first attested 1766.