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moraine

(Science: geology) An accumulation of earth and stones carried forward and deposited by a glacier.

If the moranie is at the extremity of the glacier it is a terminal moranie; if at the side, a lateral moranie; if parallel to the side on the central portion of the glacier, a medial moranie. In the last case it is formed by the union of the lateral moranies of the branches of the glacier. A ground moranie is one beneath the mass of ice.

Origin: F. Cf. Prov. G. Mur stones broken off, It. Mora a heap of stones, hillock, G. Murbe soft, broken up, OHG. Muruwi, AS. Mearu tender, Gr. To cause to wither, Skr. Mla to relax.