Meaning & Definition of word "Silt"
Silt
/sɪlt/
noun:
- 1. A fine sediment composed of mineral particles smaller than sand but larger than clay, typically found in soil or sediments.
- Example: The riverbank was lined with silt, making it fertile for planting crops.
- 2. Material that is carried by a river or current and deposited where the water slows down.
- Example: The silt from the flooded river enriched the nearby fields.
- 3. The accumulation of such fine particles in a body of water, which can affect aquatic life and water quality.
- Example: Excess silt in the lake led to decreased oxygen levels, harming the fish population.
- 4. A natural resource used in construction and agriculture that helps retain moisture in soil.
- Example: Farmers often use silt to improve the water retention of their sandy soils.
Etymology
●Middle English, from Old English 'silt', akin to Dutch 'silt' meaning 'mud'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
silt up:
To become blocked or choked with silt.
Related Words
sediment:
Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.
mud:
Soft, wet earth that is made up of water, soil, and silt.
Slang Meanings of silt
Meaning: To be burdened or weighed down
● Example Sentence: I feel silted by all this extra work.