Extratellurian

/ˌɛkstrətɛˈlʊəriən/ adjective

Definition

Coming from beyond Earth or relating to something not of this planet.

Etymology

From 'extra-' (outside) + 'tellurian' (from Latin tellus, Earth). This term emerged in the 19th century during growing scientific speculation about life beyond Earth.

Kelly Says

Before we had 'extraterrestrial,' scholars used this older cousin 'extratellurian'—it literally means 'outside of the Earth' and sounds like something out of a Victorian-era sci-fi novel.

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