Final answer:
The root of 'subterranean' is 'terra,' meaning 'earth' in Latin, and it describes something underground or secret.
Step-by-step explanation:
- The root of the word subterranean is 'terra,' which means 'earth' in Latin. When 'sub-' (meaning 'under') is combined with 'terra,' it forms 'subterranean,' an adjective describing something that is located underground.
- This term is often used figuratively or literally to describe hidden places beneath the Earth's surface, such as catacombs or hidden passages like those used in the Underground Railroad during the abolitionist movement.
- Subterranean can also describe activities or locations intended to remain secret, such as an underground bank robber's hideout or an intricate network of caves.