terrace
    n 1: usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence [syn:
         patio, terrace]
    2: a level shelf of land interrupting a declivity (with steep
       slopes above and below) [syn: terrace, bench]
    3: a row of houses built in a similar style and having common
       dividing walls (or the street on which they face); "Grosvenor
       Terrace"
    v 1: provide (a house) with a terrace; "We terrassed the country
         house" [syn: terrace, terrasse]
    2: make into terraces as for cultivation; "The Incas terraced
       their mountainous land"

Terrace \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.
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         Clermont's terraced height, and Esher's groves.
                                                  --Thomson.
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Terrace \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.
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   2. A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one.
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   3. A flat roof to a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental
      nations are covered with terraces.
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   4. A street, or a row of houses, on a bank or the side of a
      hill; hence, any street, or row of houses.
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   5. (Geol.) A level plain, usually with a steep front,
      bordering a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea.
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   Note: Many rivers are bordered by a series of terraces at
         different levels, indicating the flood plains at
         successive periods in their history.
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   Terrace epoch. (Geol.) See Drift epoch, under Drift, a.
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