terrestrial

plural terrestrials

1. biologyA ground-dwelling plant.
2. Alternative letter-case form of Terrestrial (“Inhabitant of Earth”).

   It will be manifest that natural scenery must present many beautiful varieties of effect altogether unfamiliar to us terrestrials, who know of no colours in scenery except those inherent in the objects themselves which form the landscape.

   1873, Richard Anthony Proctor, The Expanse of Heaven, page 235

1. not comparableOf or relating to the Earth or its (native) inhabitants.

   Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.

   2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845, archived from the original on 12 Aug 2013

   Synonyms: earthly

2. not comparableOf, relating to, or composed of land or earth, as contrasted with bodies of water, with wetlands viewed as semiaquatic environs, or with aerial or space environs.

   Near-synonyms: land (attributive), landbased, landly

   2 more examples

   quoted in 2022, C. F. G. Clark, The Curiosities of Dudley and the Black Country […] yet this stone [Cannock] is so Sulphurious and Terrestrial, not fit to make Iron; […]

   Microorganisms are the Cinderellas of terrestrial ecology — the majority of the Earth's biomass, yet barely catalogued.

   1997, “Review: Cinderella's house”, in New Scientist, number 2096

   Synonyms: land, landbased, landly

3. not comparableLiving or growing in or on land (as opposed to other habitats or substrates).

   a terrestrial plant

   1 more example

   Typically, tarantulas are either terrestrial or arboreal, but the Chilobrachys natanicharum can live in both enivronments^([sic – meaning environments]), the researchers said, demonstrating its adaptability.

   2023 September 26, Hafsa Khalil, “Electric blue tarantula species discovered in Thailand”, in CNN, archived from the original on 06 Oct 2023

4. not comparableastronomyBeing composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals, as contrasted with gases, liquified gases, and dust.

   a terrestrial planet

   1 more example

   Near-synonyms: tellurian, telluric, terrene, Terran, rocky, metallic

   Synonyms: tellurian, telluric, terrene, Terran, rocky, metallic

5. not comparableConcerned with the world or worldly matters.

   Near-synonyms: worldly, sublunary

   1 more example

   A genius bright and base, / Of towering talents, and terrestrial aims.

   1744, [Edward Young], “Night the Sixth. The Infidel Reclaim’d. In Two Parts. Containing, the Nature, Proof, and Importance of Immortality. Part the First. […]”, in The Complaint: Or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley […], →OCLC, page 14

   Synonyms: worldly, sublunary · Antonyms: celestial, spiritual, ethereal

6. Mormonismnot comparableOf or pertaining to the second highest degree of glory.

   Theirs is an everlasting terrestrial inheritance because they rejected the truth when it was offered to them in mortality.

   1977 August, Bruce R. McConkie, “A New Commandment: Save Thyself and Thy Kindred!”, in Tambuli, page 5

   1 more example

   We are now living and obeying celestial laws that will make us candidates for celestial glory; or we are living terrestrial laws that will make us candidates for terrestrial glory; or telestial.

   1974 February, “A Sure Trumpet Sound: Quotations from President Lee”, in Ensign, page 77

7. not comparablebroadcastingBroadcast using radio waves as opposed to satellite or cable.

plural Terrestrials

1. An inhabitant of the planet Earth.

   The other was not a Terrestrial, but a visiting Martian.

   1925, Hugo Gernsback, Ralph 124C 41+, page 41

   2 more examples

   It will be manifest that natural scenery must present many beautiful varieties of effect altogether unfamiliar to us terrestrials, who know of no colours in scenery except those inherent in the objects themselves which form the landscape.

   1873, Richard Anthony Proctor, The Expanse of Heaven, page 235

   There'd been Earthling girls; and not a few Khazaki women had been intrigued by the big Terrestrial.

   1950 Fall, Poul Anderson, “Star Ship”, in Planet Stories, volume 4, number 8, page 74

   Synonyms: Earthling, Tellurian, Terran