water-wornadj.
/ˈwɔːtəwɔːn/, U.S. /ˈwɔdərˌwɔrn/, /ˈwɑdərˌwɔrn/ Esp. of rock or stone: worn or eroded by the action of water.
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the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > [adjective] > water or wave erosion > eroded by water
sea-worn1612
water-worn1776
gullied1794
undermined1844
1776 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1772: Pt. 2 37 On the right, is a deep and darksome chasm, water-worn for ages.
1829 J. Phillips Illustr. Geol. Yorks. I. 49 Fragments of chalk and flint which..are very little water-worn.
1860 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 1859 29 33 Bare coralline rocks, smooth and waterworn near the sea, rough and sharp inland.
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. Prol. 14 There was a smooth water-worn boulder on the beach.
1940 F. F. Grout Kemp's Handbk. Rocks (ed. 6) vii. 136 Water worn sands are better polished than wind blown grains.
2005 Gardenlife Oct. 49/3 For aesthetic reasons, you can then cover the mesh with smooth, water-worn river stones.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1776