* Land: This word has a long history, originating from the Old English word "land" which meant "ground, earth, soil, territory."
* Form: This word comes from the Old French word "forme," which itself comes from the Latin word "forma," meaning "shape, appearance, beauty."
Therefore, landform literally means "the shape or form of the land."
The term likely arose in the early 19th century as a way to describe the various features of the Earth's surface. This was a time when the study of geography and geology was becoming more formalized and scientific, requiring precise language to describe these features.
While the exact origin of the word "landform" is difficult to pinpoint, its meaning is clear: a naturally occurring feature on the Earth's surface, such as mountains, valleys, plains, or plateaus.