Terrace word meaning and definition

[noun] usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
[noun] (British) a row of houses built in a similar style and having common dividing walls (or the street on which they face); "Grosvenor Terrace"
[noun] a level shelf of land interrupting a declivity (with steep slopes above and below)
[verb] make into terraces as for cultivation; "The Incas terraced their mountainous land"
[verb] provide with a terrace, as of a house

\Ter"race\, n. [F. terrasse (cf. Sp. terraza, It. terrazza), fr. L. terra the earth, probably for tersa, originally meaning, dry land, and akin to torrere to parch, E. torrid, and thirst. See {Thirst}, and cf. {Fumitory}, {Inter}, v., {Patterre}, {Terrier}, {Trass}, {Tureen}, {Turmeric}.] 1. A raised level space, shelf, or platform of earth, supported on one or more sides by a wall, a bank of tuft, or the like, whether designed for use or pleasure. 2. A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one. 3. A flat roof to a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental nations are covered with terraces. 4. A street, or a row of houses, on a bank or the side of a hill; hence, any street, or row of houses. 5. (Geol.) A level plain, usually with a steep front, bordering a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea. Note: Many rivers are bordered by a series of terraces at different levels, indicating the flood plains at successive periods in their history. {Terrace epoch}. (Geol.) See {Drift epoch}, under {Drift}, a.
\Ter"race\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Terraced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Terracing}.] To form into a terrace or terraces; to furnish with a terrace or terraces, as, to terrace a garden, or a building. --Sir H. Wotton. Clermont's terraced height, and Esher's groves. --Thomson.

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