terrigenous

adjective

ter·​rig·​e·​nous te-ˈri-jə-nəs How to pronounce terrigenous (audio)
tə-
: being or relating to oceanic sediment derived directly from the destruction of rocks on the earth's surface

Examples of terrigenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For those interested in the transfer of terrigenous sediment (i.e., derived from continent) to the deep sea, this situation has some interesting implications regarding transport mechanisms. Brian Romans, WIRED, 13 July 2008

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrigena earthborn, from terra earth + gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrigenous was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near terrigenous

Cite this Entry

“Terrigenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrigenous. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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