alluvium

[ uh-loo-vee-uhm ]

noun

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

1. a deposit of sand, mud, etc., formed by flowing water.
2. the sedimentary matter deposited thus within recent times, especially in the valleys of large rivers.

alluvium

/ əˈluːvɪəm /

noun

1. a fine-grained fertile soil consisting of mud, silt, and sand deposited by flowing water on flood plains, in river beds, and in estuaries

alluvium

/ ə-lo̅o̅′vē-əm /

, Plural alluviums

1. Sand, silt, clay, gravel, or other matter deposited by flowing water, as in a riverbed, floodplain, delta, or alluvial fan. Alluvium is generally considered a young deposit in terms of geologic time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alluvium¹

1655–65; < Latin, noun use of neuter of alluvius washed against, equivalent to alluv- ( alluvion ) + -ius, -ium adj. suffix; -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of alluvium¹

C17: from Latin; see alluvion

Example Sentences

In his wanderings, he had panned the alluvium of many small streams and had recovered more than the usual amount of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps the alluvium of a great river like the McKenzie, has determined this displacement.

From Project Gutenberg

The soil of Egypt is, then, simply an alluvium mixed with the sand which the winds bring from the Desert.

From Project Gutenberg

Alluvium, al-lū′vi-um, n. the mass of water-borne matter deposited by rivers on lower lands:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

The shores of Lake St. Clair are formed of a fertile alluvium, resting on drift.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clay
• coast
• dirt
• dust
• gravel
• land
• mud
• sand
• shore
• surface
• terrain
• turf