Scree
Noun
- An accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff; talus.
Example Sentences
“I slipped on the scree near the trailhead, so I continued very carefully.”
“The guide warned us that the scree would be harder to climb than it looked.”
“From far away, the slope looked smooth, but up close it was all sharp rock and scree.”
Word Origin
Scandinavian, late 18th century
Why this word?
Rock climbers and avid hikers will be familiar with scree, the loose, rocky debris found on a slope or at the bottom of a hill. “Scree” is a Scots and northern English dialect term, but it’s of Scandinavian origin. It comes from the Old Norse “skritha,” meaning “landslide.” “Scree” is used interchangeably with “talus,” another word for the rock debris at the base of a cliff.
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