silt

¹silt

noun \ˈsilt\

Definition of SILT

1

: loose sedimentary material with rock particles usually ¹⁄₂₀ millimeter or less in diameter; also : soil containing 80 percent or more of such silt and less than 12 percent of clay

2

: a deposit of sediment (as by a river)

— silty \ˈsil-tē\ adjective

Origin of SILT

Middle English cylte, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect sylt beach flooded at high tide; akin to Old High German sulza salt marsh, Old English sealt salt

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, swale

Rhymes with SILT

built, gilt, guilt, hilt, jilt, kilt, lilt, milt, quilt, stilt, tilt, wilt