diluvium

or di·lu·vi·on

[ dih-loo-vee-uhm ]

noun

, Geology Now Rare.

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

1. a coarse surficial deposit formerly attributed to a general deluge but now regarded as glacial drift.

diluvium

/ dɪ-; daɪˈluːvɪəm /

noun

1. See drift
   geology a former name for glacial drift See drift

Word History and Origins

Origin of diluvium¹

1810–20; < Latin dīluvium flood; deluge

Word History and Origins

Origin of diluvium¹

C19: from Latin: flood, from dīluere to wash away; see dilute

Example Sentences

Such language you never heard, such a diluvium of profanity, such double-shotted d—ns!

From Project Gutenberg

Whence then, it may be asked, the masses of compact reddish clay and pebble diluvium, which exist?

From Project Gutenberg

This alluvium rests on the red marl-clay, or mineral diluvium; the latter of which is uniformly found on penetrating it.

From Project Gutenberg

Mine à La Motte is situated in the mineral diluvium, and is distant about two miles from the granite on Blackford's fork.

From Project Gutenberg

Examples are manuatus est for furatus est; abluvium for diluvium.

From Project Gutenberg