terrain 是大片土地，地形，地貌的意思，在托福阅读题当中对应的单词是tract。

terr- 是指土地，或是与土地有关的事物，如：

terrace   n.梯田

terra     n.土地

territory  n.是领土

terrace   n.梯田

terrestrial a.陆生的，水生的

terran    n. 地球 人族

terrane   n. 岩层

terrazzo  n.水磨石

 我国古代打仗讲究“天时、地利、人和”，其中的“地利”指的便是地形因素的重要性。在《孙子兵法》（The Art of War）的第十篇：地形篇（terrain）的第一句便是：“孙子曰：地形（terrain）有通者、有挂者、有支者、有隘者、有险者、有远者。”

http://fmn.xnpic.com/fmn050/20110227/1155/b_large_57Fv_27cf0001ca6b5c42.jpg

而本人最近看了一部日剧叫《神之水滴》，讲的是关于红酒的故事，里面经常说到一个法语 terrior，指的是生产葡萄酒的自然条件，土地气候等等。其实，terrain本身就源于法语，由于法国盛产葡萄和葡萄酒，所以尤为强调适合种植葡萄的terrain. 这句日剧各位有兴趣的同学也可以去看看，可以学习一些红酒的知识。 

Definition of TERRAIN 

1

a (1) : a geographic area (2) : a piece of land : ground b : the physical features of a tract of land

2

: terrane 1

3

a : a field of knowledge or interest : territory b : environment, milieu

Examples of TERRAIN

1. We had to drive over some rough terrain.
2. We hiked through a variety of terrains.
3. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrains, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy. (The Art of War X: Terrain)

Origin of TERRAIN

French, land, ground, from Old French terrein, from Vulgar Latin *terranum, alteration of Latin terrenum, from neuter of terrenus of earth — more at terrene

First Known Use: 1766

Related to TERRAIN

Synonyms: area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, territory,