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détritus

waste

noun deh-tree-TYU Rare
Animals & Nature Environment

Origin: Latin 'detritus', past participle of 'deterere' (to wear away).

Also means

debris, rubbish

Usage Note

Détritus is used in French for organic waste, litter, or debris — des détritus jonchaient le sol (litter was strewn on the ground). The word is the same in singular and plural; the final -s is always written but whether it is pronounced varies by register. Ordures and déchets are the more common everyday words for rubbish.

Examples

"Des détritus étaient éparpillés sur la plage."

Natural Translation

Debris was scattered across the beach.

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