alluvion

noun

al·​lu·​vi·​on ə-ˈlü-vē-ən 

1

: the wash or flow of water against a shore

2

: flood, inundation

3

: alluvium

4

: an accession to land by the gradual addition of matter (as by deposit of alluvium) that then belongs to the owner of the land to which it is added

also : the land so added

Synonyms

• bath
• cataclysm
• cataract
• deluge
• flood
• flood tide
• inundation
• Niagara
• overflow
• spate
• torrent

Examples of alluvion in a Sentence

the nonstop torrential rains were threatening to produce an alluvion of biblical proportions

Word History

Etymology

Latin alluvion-, alluvio, from alluere to flow past, deposit (of water), from ad- + lavere to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

alluvion

noun

al·​lu·​vi·​on ə-ˈlü-vē-ən 

: material (as clay, silt, sand, or gravel) deposited by running water

especially : the land added by the gradual or imperceptible accumulation of such material along a bank or shore

alluvion formed in front of the property of several owners is divided equitably

—Louisiana Civil Code