terra incognita

American  

[ter-uh in-kog-ni-tuh, in-kog-nee-, ter-rah in-kawg-ni-tah] / ˈtɛr ə ɪnˈkɒg nɪ tə, ˌɪn kɒgˈni-, ˈtɛr rɑ ɪnˈkɔg nɪ tɑ /

noun

1. an unknown or unexplored land, region, or subject.

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terra incognita British  

/ ˈtɛrə ɪnˈkɒɡnɪtə /

noun

1. an unexplored or unknown land, region, or area for study

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Example Sentences

The search for terra incognita can explain the explosion, in the 20th century, of science fiction and magical realism.

From The Wall Street Journal

The old maps of the body had the equivalent of major roads and significant geography but also areas cartographers labelled unknown or “terra incognita”.

From BBC

This is really quite intriguing as we do not know much about these parts of the genome; our work shows there is benefit in exploring further this genetic terra incognita.'

From Science Daily

Let them believe that the Puget Sound region is terra incognita and perhaps they won’t come out here.

From Seattle Times

On the map, the far northwest corner was labeled “terra incognita” with borders trailing off into an indistinct mist and sea monsters lurking in the curling waves.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• backcountry
• outback