moraine

[ muh-reyn ]

noun

1. a ridge, mound, or irregular mass of unstratified glacial drift, chiefly boulders, gravel, sand, and clay.
2. a deposit of such material left on the ground by a glacier.

moraine

/ mɒˈreɪn /

noun

1. a mass of debris, carried by glaciers and forming ridges and mounds when deposited

moraine

/ mə-rān′ /

1. A mass of till (boulders, pebbles, sand, and mud) deposited by a glacier, often in the form of a long ridge. Moraines typically form because of the plowing effect of a moving glacier, which causes it to pick up rock fragments and sediments as it moves, and because of the periodic melting of the ice, which causes the glacier to deposit these materials during warmer intervals.
2. ◆ A moraine deposited in front of a glacier is a terminal moraine.
3. ◆ A moraine deposited along the side of a glacier is a lateral moraine.
4. ◆ A moraine deposited down the middle of a glacier is a medial moraine. Medial moraines are actually the combined lateral moraines of two glaciers that have merged.

moraine

1. A pile of debris, often extending for miles, deposited by a glacier . It is composed of rock fragments transported by the ice, which are left behind when the ice melts.

Derived Forms

• moˈrainal, adjective

Other Words From

• mo·rainal mo·rainic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of moraine¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from French, from Savoyard dialect morêna “rise in the ground along the lower edge of a sloping field,” equivalent to mour(o) “mound, accumulation of earth” (from unattested murr- “mound, elevation,” apparently pre-Latin ) + -ena suffix of landforms, probably of pre-Latin origin; compare Upper Italian (Piedmont) morena “heap of organic detritus,” Spanish moreña “heap of stones, moraine”

Word History and Origins

Origin of moraine¹

C18: from French, from Savoy dialect morena, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Consulting geologists cautioned that surrounding valleys were composed of porous glacial moraine unsuitable for water containment.

From Seattle Times

The second set of parents have two children at Kettle Moraine and “are concerned that the District would handle this process in the same way for their children as well if their children were to seek a gender transition.”

From Washington Times

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Maxwell granted summary judgment to parents who sued the Kettle Moraine School District in southeastern Wisconsin, finding the district violated the rights of parents to make medical decisions on behalf of their children.

From Washington Times

“The court was right to respect the serious concerns of these parents by holding that Kettle Moraine School District’s policy, which undermines parents and harms children, violates the Wisconsin Constitution,” she said.

From Washington Times

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Maxwell ruled that the Kettle Moraine School District’s policy violates the right of parents to make medical decisions for their children.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• hill
• rim