terrigenous

[ te-rij-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. produced by the earth.
2. Geology. noting or pertaining to sediments on the sea bottom derived directly from the neighboring land, or to the rocks formed primarily by the consolidation of such sediments.

terrigenous

/ tɛˈrɪdʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. of or produced by the earth
2. (of geological deposits) formed in the sea from material derived from the land by erosion

terrigenous

/ tĕ-rĭj′ə-nəs /

1. Derived from the land, especially by erosive action. Used primarily of shallow marine sediments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrigenous¹

1675–85; < Latin terrigenus, equivalent to terr ( a ) earth + -i- -i- + -genus -genous

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrigenous¹

C17: from Latin terrigenus, from terra earth + gignere to beget

Example Sentences

Cullers, R. L. & Podkovyrov, V. N. The source and origin of terrigenous sedimentary rocks in the Mesoproterozoic Ui group, southeastern Russia.

From Nature

Terrigenous, te-rij′e-nus, adj. produced by the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

These deposits are not in a true sense abyssal, but are of terrigenous origin, the mud and sand being derived from the wear of the continents, transported by marine currents.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact that the sedimentary formations of each successive geological period consist to so large an extent of mechanically formed terrigenous detritus, affords good evidence of the coexistence of tracts of land as well as of extensive denudation.

From Project Gutenberg

We excluded dilution by terrigenous input because of persisting low sedimentation rates and confirm that homogeneous moderate preservation suggests a comparable dissolution-induced decrease of carbonates.

From Science Magazine