colluvium

noun

col·​lu·​vi·​um kə-ˈlü-vē-əm How to pronounce colluvium (audio)
plural colluvia kə-ˈlü-vē-ə How to pronounce colluvium (audio) or colluviums
: rock detritus and soil accumulated at the foot of a slope
colluvial adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, offscourings, alteration of Latin colluvies, from colluere to wash, from com- + lavere to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

circa 1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of colluvium was circa 1936

Dictionary Entries Near colluvium

Cite this Entry

“Colluvium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colluvium. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on colluvium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!