alluvium
/əˈl(j)uːvɪəm
/noun [mass noun]
A deposit of clay, silt, and sand left by flowing floodwater in a river valley or delta, typically producing fertile soil.Many vineyards are located on valley bottoms underlain by alluvium which can provide deep, free-draining soils of variable grain size....
- The measured soil parameters at the sites were within the normal range for bottomland hardwood soils of Mississippi River alluvium.
- In the east, which is lower and flatter, river gravels and alluvium from the North Sea have produced dark, rich soils.
Origin
Mid 17th century: Latin, neuter of alluvius 'washed against', from ad- 'towards' + luere 'to wash'.
Rhymes
- multi-partyism
- multipass
- multipath
- multipathing
- multi-pattern
- multipeaked
- multiped
- multipedal
- multipede
- multipedous
- multipennate
- multiperforate
- multiperforated
- multiperiod
- multipersonal
- multiphase
- multiphased
- multiphonic
- multiphonics
- multiphoton
- multi-pin
- multipinnate
- multiplanar
- multiplane
- multiplaned