Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Terrace \Ter"race\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Terraced}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Terracing}.]
   To form into a terrace or terraces; to furnish with a terrace
   or terraces, as, to terrace a garden, or a building. --Sir H.
   Wotton.

         Clermont's terraced height, and Esher's groves.
                                                  --Thomson.

Terrace \Ter"race\, n. [F. terrasse (cf. Sp. terraza, It.
   terrazza), fr. L. terra the earth, probably for tersa,
   originally meaning, dry land, and akin to torrere to parch,
   E. torrid, and thirst. See {Thirst}, and cf. {Fumitory},
   {Inter}, v., {Patterre}, {Terrier}, {Trass}, {Tureen},
   {Turmeric}.]
   1. A raised level space, shelf, or platform of earth,
      supported on one or more sides by a wall, a bank of tuft,
      or the like, whether designed for use or pleasure.

   2. A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one.

   3. A flat roof to a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental
      nations are covered with terraces.

   4. A street, or a row of houses, on a bank or the side of a
      hill; hence, any street, or row of houses.

   5. (Geol.) A level plain, usually with a steep front,
      bordering a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea.

   Note: Many rivers are bordered by a series of terraces at
         different levels, indicating the flood plains at
         successive periods in their history.

   {Terrace epoch}. (Geol.) See {Drift epoch}, under {Drift}, a.

Source : WordNet®

terrace
     n 1: usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence [syn: {patio}]
     2: a level shelf of land interrupting a declivity (with steep
        slopes above and below) [syn: {bench}]
     3: a row of houses built in a similar style and having common
        dividing walls (or the street on which they face);
        "Grosvenor Terrace"
     v 1: provide (a house) with a terrace; "We terrassed the country
          house" [syn: {terrasse}]
     2: make into terraces as for cultivation; "The Incas terraced
        their mountainous land"