De‐tri″tus (?), n. [F. détritus, fr. L. detritus, p. p. of deterere. See Detriment.] 1. (Geol.) A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by attrition, and reduced to small portions; as, diluvial detritus.
☞ For large portions, the word débris is used.
2. Hence: Any fragments separated from the body to which they belonged; any product of disintegration.
The mass of detritus of which modern languages are composed. Farrar.