terrain

Definition

A single, distinctive rock formation; an area having a preponderance of a particular rock or group of rocks.

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French terrain, from Latin terrenum (“land, ground”), neuter of terrenus (“consisting of earth”), from terra (“earth”).

Example Sentences

• "The race will be run over a variety of terrain, including grass and sand."
• "This approach requires the aircraft to stay at an altitude of at least 3000 feet MSL until crossing the VOR in order to maintain terrain clearance."
• "controlled flight into terrain"