Tellus

[ tel-uhs ]

nounClassical Mythology

an ancient Roman goddess of the earth, marriage, and fertility, identified with the Greek goddess Gaia.

Origin of Tellus

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin tellūs “earth, the earth”

Words Nearby Tellus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Tellus in a sentence

Her request was granted, and Tellus at the proper time brought to light the two boys.
The Mysteries of All Nations | James Grant
The worship of the earth (Tellus or Pales) and of the various heavenly bodies, was prolonged into the heart of Polytheism.
August Comte and Positivism | John-Stuart Mill
There is the classical transcript, “the varied earth,” dædala Tellus.
Alfred Tennyson | Andrew Lang
Come, put on your highest power now, and let us seem to pay good old Tellus a visit!
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 5, April 30, 1870 | Various
Tellus denotes the earth as a whole, as the centre of the universe, as a goddess, in opp.
Dderlein's Hand-book of Latin Synonymes | Ludwig Dderlein

British Dictionary definitions for Tellus

Tellus

/ (ˈtɛləs) /

noun

the Roman goddess of the earth; protectress of marriage, fertility, and the dead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse