ScienceJuly 15, 2026
detritus
/dɪˈtraɪtəs/
Definition
Waste, debris, or accumulation of loose organic or inorganic matter that has disintegrated from a larger source.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'detritus,' meaning 'rubbed away' or 'worn down,' which comes from the verb 'deterere.' It entered English in the late 18th century to describe debris formed by the disintegration of rock.
In the news
In this article, researchers struggle to distinguish the meteorite's original chemical makeup from local dirt and soil contamination. They refer to this unwanted ground material as 'detritus.'
The 2024 New York City meteorite contains amino acids
Read the full article ↗Science News