ALLU'VIUM, n. [L. alluvio, of ad and lavo or luo, alluo, to wash. See Lave.] 1. The insensible increase of earth on a shore, or bank of a river, by the force of water, as by a current or by waves. The owner of the land thus augmented has a right to the alluvial earth.2. A gradual washing or carrying of earth or other substances to a shore or bank; the earth thus added.3. The mass of substances collected by means of the action of water.In this alluvium was found the entire skeleton of a whale.
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