Pl. terræ incognitæ (erron. terras incognitas). [L., = ‘unknown land.’] An unknown or unexplored region. Often fig.
1616. Capt. Smith, Descr. New Eng., 6. The Spaniards know … not so much as the true circumference of Terra Incognita, whose large dominions may equalize the greatnesse and goodnes of America.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Gt. Eater Kent, Wks. I. 143/2. The place of his birth, and names of his parents are to me a meere Terra incognita.
1756. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to C’tess of Bute, 1 April. Your provinces of politics, gallantry, and literature, all [are] terra incognita.
1821. Anna M. Porter, Village of Mariendorpt, II. 121. His friend and the field-marshall were nearly terras incognitas to each other.
1901. Scotsman, 11 March, 6/4. The country within a day’s ride … is almost a terra incognita.
