detritus Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
dust; junk; debris; rubble.
noun loose material (stone fragments and silt etc) that is worn away from rocks

F. détritus, fr. L. detritus, p. p. of deterere. See Detriment.

(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.
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.