colluvium

[ kuh-loo-vee-uh m ]
/ kəˈlu vi əm /

noun, plural col·lu·vi·a [kuh-loo-vee-uh] /kəˈlu vi ə/, col·lu·vi·ums. Geology.

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.

Origin of colluvium

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

OTHER WORDS FROM colluvium

col·lu·vi·al, adjective

Words nearby colluvium

collusion, collusive, collut., collutorium, collutory, colluvium, colly, collyr., collyrium, collywobbles, colmar

British Dictionary definitions for colluvium

colluvium
/ (kəˈluːvɪəm) /

noun plural -via (-vɪə) or -viums

a mixture of rock fragments from the bases of cliffs

Derived forms of colluvium

colluvial, adjective

Word Origin for colluvium

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

Scientific definitions for colluvium

colluvium
[ kə-lōō′vē-əm ]

Plural colluviums colluvia

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