loam

Three layers of subsurface loam; surface layer is dark brown fine sandy loam, subsurface layer is pale brown fine sandy loam, subsoil is red clay loam and sandy clay loam.

Meanings

Noun

  • A type of soil; an earthy mixture of sand, silt and clay, with organic matter to which its fertility is chiefly due.
  • A mixture of sand, clay, and other materials, used in making moulds for large castings, often without a pattern.

Verb

  • To cover, smear, or fill with loam.

Adjective

  • Made of loam; consisting of loam.

Origin

  • From Middle English lome, lame, lam, from Old English lām, from Proto-Germanic *laimaz, *laimô, from Proto-Indo-European *ley-. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Leem, West Frisian liem, Dutch leem, German Lehm. Related also to lime.

Modern English dictionary

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