Definition of terrigenous
: being or relating to oceanic sediment derived directly from the destruction of rocks on the earth's surface
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of terrigenous from the Web
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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.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terrigenous'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of terrigenous
Latin terrigena earthborn, from terra earth + gignere to beget — more at kin
First Known Use: 1882
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