Territorial
/ˌtɛrɪˈtɔːriəl/noun
Relating to a territory or the control of land by a person, group, or state.
Did you know?“Territorial” comes from the same Latin root as *terror* and *terrify*—the ancient idea was not just land, but land as something claimed, marked, and defended with force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ters-
“to dry; to rub, scrape”
Latin
Latin
terra
“earth, land”
Latin
Latin
territorium
“land belonging to a town, district, or people”
Late Latin
Latin
territorialis
“of or belonging to a territory”
Middle French
French
territorial
“pertaining to territory”
Modern English
English
territorial
“relating to territory or the defense of an area”