outwash

[ out-wosh, -wawsh ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the material, chiefly sand or gravel, deposited by meltwater streams in front of a glacier.

outwash

/ ˈaʊtˌwɒʃ /

noun

1. a mass of gravel, sand, etc, carried and deposited by the water derived from melting glaciers

Word History and Origins

Origin of outwash¹

First recorded in 1890–95; out- + wash

Example Sentences

Outwash plains are sometimes pitted by bowl-shaped basins where ice blocks were left buried in the sand by the retreating glacier.

From Project Gutenberg

This outwash plain was a veritable paradise of bloom in the days before the advent of the plow.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus arose the type of stratified drift variously known as overwash plains, outwash plains, morainic plains, and morainic aprons.

From Project Gutenberg

Good examples of overwash or outwash plains may be seen at various points in the vicinity of Baraboo.

From Project Gutenberg

A good example of an outwash plain occurs southwest of Baraboo, flanking the moraine on the west (Fig. 41).

From Project Gutenberg