terrarium
|ter-ra-ri-um|
🇺🇸
/təˈrɛriəm/
🇬🇧
/təˈreəriəm/
small enclosed earth habitat
Etymology
'terrarium' originates from New Latin, specifically from the Latin element 'terra' meaning 'earth' combined with the suffix '-arium' meaning 'place for'.
'terrarium' was formed in New Latin (influenced by classical Latin elements) and was adopted into English in the late 19th to early 20th century as a term for a container for terrestrial organisms.
Initially based on elements meaning 'place of earth', it came to refer specifically to a glass or transparent container creating a small terrestrial habitat.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a clear-sided container (often glass or plastic) in which small land plants and sometimes land animals (such as reptiles, amphibians, or insects) are kept to create a miniature terrestrial habitat.
She set up a terrarium on her desk with moss, a small fern, and a tiny frog.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/03 13:34