Main Entry: ¹ta·lus

Pronunciation: \ˈtā-ləs, ˈta-\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Middle French, probably from Vulgar Latin *talutum side, slope; akin to Latin talutium slope indicating presence of gold under the soil

Date: 1645

1 : a slope formed especially by an accumulation of rock debris
2 : rock debris at the base of a cliff