subs. phr. (old colloquial).—1. A person of mean or obscure birth.
2. (university).—A scholar whose special duty was to make satirical speeches at the Encœnia: full advantage being ever taken of his license to satirize, and generally rip up, authority.
1669. EVELYN, Diary, 10 July. The TERRÆ FILIUS (the Universitie Buffoone) entertain’d the auditorie with a tedious abusive, sarcastical rhapsodie, most unbecoming the gravity of the universitie.
c. 1709. WARD, Terræ filius [Title].
