ventifact

[ ven-tuh-fakt ]

nounGeology.

a pebble or cobble that has been faceted, grooved, and polished by the erosive action of wind-driven sand.

Origin of ventifact

First recorded in 1910–15; from Latin venti-, combining form of ventus “wind” (see origin at wind¹) + factum “something made, deed” (see origin at fact); perhaps modeled on artifact

Words Nearby ventifact

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for ventifact

ventifact

/ (ˈvɛntɪˌfækt) /

noun

geology a pebble that has been shaped by wind-blown sand

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

Scientific definitions for ventifact

ventifact

[ vĕn′tə-făkt′ ]

A rock or pebble that has been shaped, polished, or faceted by wind-driven sand.

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