detritus
Decomposition's scattered leavings
Detritus is debris or waste material—loose fragments that remain after something breaks down or wears away.
In geology, it refers to rock particles produced by erosion.
In ecology, dead organic matter like fallen leaves.
The word extends to any accumulated refuse or remnants: the detritus of a failed marriage, cultural detritus left over from the eighties.
Broken building fragments
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- flotsamDebris from wrecked vessels
- jetsamGoods deliberately discarded at sea
- refuseReject or garbage
litter · scrap · shards · trash · junk · residue · remains · clutter
Faint surviving trace
- relicPreserved ancient object
- residueMatter left behind
- leftoverFood saved after meals
- remainderWhat's left over
trace · fragment · remains · artifact · fossil · ruin · aftermath · leavings
Particles settling in liquid
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
erosion · moraine · talus · scree · rockfall · outwash · loess · deposits
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
humus · fungi · bacteria · decomposers · mold · mildew · breakdown · disintegration
Protective plant bedding
- leafmoldDecomposed leaf material
- fallen leavesDropped deciduous foliage
- twigsThin woody shoots
- barkSharp canine vocalization
pine needles · deadfall · forest floor · molted skin · fallen fruit · windfall
rubble
Broken building fragments
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- flotsamDebris from wrecked vessels
- jetsamGoods deliberately discarded at sea
refuse · litter · scrap · shards · trash · junk · residue · remains · clutter · dross
vestige
Faint surviving trace
remainder · trace · fragment · remains · artifact · fossil · ruin · aftermath · leavings · relics
sediment
Particles settling in liquid
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
clay · erosion · moraine · talus · scree · rockfall · outwash · loess · deposits · boulders
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
biodegradation · humus · fungi · bacteria · decomposers · mold · mildew · breakdown · disintegration · carrion
mulch
Protective plant bedding
- leafmoldDecomposed leaf material
- fallen leavesDropped deciduous foliage
- twigsThin woody shoots
bark · pine needles · deadfall · forest floor · molted skin · fallen fruit · windfall
- seafloor sedimentssediment layers, seafloor, substrate, organic matter, mud flats
- beach debrisdriftwood, seashells, shells, wreckage, flotsam
- forest floorfallen leaves, leaf litter, dead leaves, rotting wood, rotting logs
- junktrash, garbage, refuse, rubbish, waste
- Organic Matterblood, bone, tissue, cells, skin
- rubbishtrash, garbage, junk, litter, refuse