ter·rig·e·nous \təˈrijənəs, teˈr-\adjective Etymology: Latin terrigena earthborn (from terri- — from terra earth — + -gena — akin to Latin gignere to beget) + English -ous — more at terrace, kin : formed by the erosive action of rivers, tides, and currents — used of an ocean bottom < terrigenous deposits drape the continental shelves … and trail downward to the abysses — F.C.Lane >