singular debris?

Barnhart ADS-L at HIGHLANDS.COM
Tue Jul 20 14:35:44 UTC 1999


In the first sense as provided by most dictionaries, _debris_ is quite
recognizably plural.  However, in the second definition given in the
Century Dictionary (1889-1914) we find:

"2. In geol., a mass of rocky fragments irregularly accumulated at any
one spot: as, the debris at the base of a cliff: used as both a
singular and a plural by French and English writers.  See drift,
detritus, and screes."

Regards,
David K. Barnhart
barnhart at highlands.com



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