Advertisement

Advertisement

colluvium

[ kuh-loo-vee-uhm ]

noun

, Geology.
, plural col·lu·vi·a [k, uh, -, loo, -vee-, uh], col·lu·vi·ums.
  1. loose earth material that has accumulated at the base of a hill, through the action of gravity, as piles of talus, avalanche debris, and sheets of detritus moved by soil creep or frost action.


colluvium

/ kəˈluːvɪəm /

noun

  1. a mixture of rock fragments from the bases of cliffs
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

colluvium

/ kə-lo̅o̅vē-əm /

, Plural colluviums

  1. A loose deposit of rock debris accumulated through the action of rainwash or gravity at the base of a gently sloping cliff or slope.
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • colˈluvial, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • col·luvi·al adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of colluvium1

1935–40; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin colluv-, base of colluere to wash out ( collutory ) + -ium -ium, on the model of Latin alluvium alluvium, dīluvium deluge
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of colluvium1

Latin: collection of filth, from colluere to wash thoroughly, from com- (intensive) + luere to wash
Discover More

Example Sentences

There are surface deposits of Pleistocene and Recent age, with gravel and boulders of alluvial origin; colluvium composed of heterogeneous rock detritus such as talus and landslide material; and alluvium composed of soil, sand, and gravel.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


collutorycolly