noun
talus
A sloping pile of rock fragments below a cliff.
Talus forms a steep slope beneath the towering cliff.
Etymology
The French source means slope or embankment. Geology specializes it to the sloping accumulation of fallen rock below a cliff.
More examples
- The hikers cross the loose talus carefully.
- Falling rocks add fresh fragments to the talus below.
- Small plants grow between the rocks on the talus slope.
Forms
talus · taluses
Similar words
- scree
- Often interchangeable, but commonly suggests smaller loose rock fragments.
- rubble
- Loose broken stone, not necessarily piled beneath a cliff.