ETYM French terrasse (cf. Spanish terraza, Italian terrazza), from Latin terra the earth, probably for tersa, originally meaning, dry land, and akin to torrere to parch, Eng. torrid, and thirst. Related to Thirst, Fumitory, Inter, Patterre, Terrier, Trass, Tureen, Turmeric.
A shelf of rock with steep slopes above and below; SYN. bench.