ters-

To dry.

Derivatives include thirst, terrain, toast¹, and torrent.

1. Suffixed zero-grade form *tr̥s-.

a. thirst, from Old English thurst, dryness, thirst, from Germanic suffixed form *thurs-tu-;

b. cusk, from Old Norse thorskr, cod (< “dried fish”). Both a and b from Germanic *thurs-.

2. Suffixed basic form *ters-ā-. terrace, terrain, Terran, terrene, terrestrial, terrier, territory, tureen; fumitory, inter, mediterranean, parterre, subterranean, terraqueous, terreplein, terre-verte, terricolous, terrigenous, turmeric, verditer, from Latin terra, “dry land,” earth.

3. Suffixed o-grade form *tors-eyo-. toast¹, torrent, torrid, from Latin torrēre, to dry, parch, burn.

4. Suffixed zero-grade form *tr̥s-o-. tarsus, from Greek tarsos, frame of wickerwork (originally for drying cheese), hence a flat surface, sole of the foot, ankle.

 

[Pokorny ters- 1078.]

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