diluvium

or di·lu·vi·on

[ dih-loo-vee-uhm ]

noun

, Geology Now Rare.

, plural di·lu·vi·a [dih-, loo, -vee-, uh], di·lu·vi·ums.

1. a coarse surficial deposit formerly attributed to a general deluge but now regarded as glacial drift.

diluvium

/ daɪˈluːvɪəm; dɪ- /

noun

1. geology a former name for glacial drift See drift

Word History and Origins

Origin of diluvium¹

1810–20; < Latin dīluvium flood; deluge

Word History and Origins

Origin of diluvium¹

C19: from Latin: flood, from dīluere to wash away; see dilute

Example Sentences

The author concludes that he has established generally the curious fact, that, in formations of all ages, from the carboniferous limestone to the diluvium, the faeces of terrestrial and aquatic carnivorous animals have been preserved; and proposes to include them all under the generic name of Coprolite.”

From Scientific American

The first bone traces of human beings range back to an epoch posterior to the monstrous quadrupeds entombed in the diluvium.

From Project Gutenberg

Elk, elk, n. the largest species of deer, found in the north of Europe and in North America.—Irish elk, a giant deer now extinct, known from the remains found in the Pleistocene diluvium, esp. of Ireland.

From Project Gutenberg

The quarternary formation, aluvium and diluvium, covers the greater portion of the Pacific coast from the foot of the mountains to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Mine à La Motte is situated in the mineral diluvium, and is distant about two miles from the granite on Blackford's fork.

From Project Gutenberg