eluvium

[ ih-loo-vee-uh m ]

/ ɪˈlu vi əm /

noun, plural e·lu·vi·a [ih-loo-vee-uh] /ɪˈlu vi ə/. Geology.

a deposit of soil, dust, etc., formed from the decomposition of rock and found in its place of origin.

Nearby words

elutriate, elutriator, eluvial, eluviate, eluviation, eluvium, elva, elvas, elve, elver, elves

Origin of eluvium

1880–85; formed on the model of alluvium from Latin ēluere (of water) to wash out (soil, etc.); see elute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for eluvium

eluvium

/ (ɪˈluːvɪəm) /

noun plural -via (-vɪə)

a mass of sand, silt, etc: a product of the erosion of rocks that has remained in its place of origin

Derived Formseluvial, adjective

Word Origin for eluvium

C19: New Latin, from Latin ēluere to wash out

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for eluvium

eluvium

[ ĭ-lōō′vē-əm ]

Residual deposits of soil, dust, and sand produced by the action of the wind.

Residual deposits of soil, dust, and rock particles produced by the in-situ decomposition and disintegration of rock.