ScienceAugust 27, 2026

sloughed

SLUFT

Definition

To shed, cast off, or discard an outer layer, skin, or covering.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'slough' (a snake's cast-off skin), the word likely stems from West Germanic roots referring to the skin or husk of an animal or plant.

In the news

In the article, the term describes how the outer layers of a meteorite melt and strip away due to intense atmospheric friction as it falls toward Earth. This process helps create the rock's smooth crust and distinct surface markings.

Great Salt Lake meteorite lands in a new home

Read the full article ↗

The University of Utah

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