gley

noun

often attributive
: a sticky clay soil or soil layer formed under the surface of some waterlogged soils
gleyed adjective

Word History

Etymology

Ukrainian gleĭ clayey earth; akin to Old English clǣg clay — more at clay

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gley was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near gley

Cite this Entry

“Gley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gley. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on gley

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!