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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[F.

détritus

, fr. L.

detritus

, p. p. of

deterere

. See

(Geol.)

A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by attrition, and reduced to small portions;

as, diluvial

detritus

☞ For large portions, the word débris is used.

Hence: Any fragments separated from the body to which they belonged; any product of disintegration.

The mass of

detritus

of which modern languages are composed.

Farrar.

Noun.

[L., worn; to wear.] In geology, a mass of substances worn off or detached from solid bodies by attrition; as diluvial detritus.

See also: detritus

détritus m ‎(uncountable)