colluvium

[kuh-loo-vee-uhm]

noun

Geology.

plural

colluvia, colluviums 

1. 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.

colluvium

/ kəˈluːvɪəm /

noun

1. a mixture of rock fragments from the bases of cliffs

colluvium

plural

colluviums 

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

Other Word Forms

• colluvial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colluvium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of colluvium¹

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

Example Sentences

There are surface deposits of Pleistocene and Recent age, with gravel and boulders of alluvial origin; colluvium composed of heterogeneous rock detritus such as talus and landslide material; and alluvium composed of soil, sand, and gravel.

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