It's Merriam-Webster's word of the day for November 6th.

Today's word is terraform, spelled T-E-R-A-F-O-M.

terra- is a verb.

To terra form something such as a planet or moon is to transform it so that it is suitable for

supporting human life. Here's the word used in a sentence from Wired by Mark Hill.

Simulation games now routinely engage with climate change, but usually from a place of wish

fulfillment. Surviving Mars lets players use magical future technology to terraform the red planet into a new Eden

creating a backup home in case Earth is ravaged beyond redemption. In the world of science fiction life finds a way. Such is the goal

of terraforming, a concept that has long served as a sci-fi staple. In fact, the word terraform can be traced to the genre's

golden age. The first known use of terraform was by the science fiction writer Jack Williamson who writing under the pseudonym Will Stewart

included the word in his 1942 story collision orbit.

Terraform applies the Latin noun Terra, meaning land or earth, as a prefix to the English verb form, meaning to shape or develop.

Terra is evidenced in many English words including terrain, terrace, and terracotta.

You may ask, what is the future of terraforming?

Suffice it to say, we have no earthly idea. With your word of the day I'm Peter

Sicaoloski. Visit Merion Webster.com today for definitions, wordplay and

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