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allochthon

noun
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al·​loch·​thon | \ əˈläkthən, aˈ-, -ˌthän \
variants: or allochthone \ -​ˌthōn \
plural -s

Definition of allochthon

: an overthrust block of rocks that have been moved along a fault for a great distance from their place of origin

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First Known Use of allochthon

1931, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for allochthon

back-formation from allochthonous

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The first known use of allochthon was in 1931

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Cite this Entry

“Allochthon.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allochthon. Accessed 5 December 2019.

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