ripple markn.
/ˈrɪpl mɑːk/, U.S. /ˈrɪp(ə)l ˌmɑrk/ Chiefly Geology.
Each of a series of wavy ridges and furrows visible on sand, mud, or snow, or preserved on the bedding planes of sedimentary rocks, and formed by the action of waves, water currents, or wind. Also in figurative contexts. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > mark on feature or surface > [noun]
seamc1330
footprint1552
stringa1728
wrinklea1807
ripple mark1831
ripple1838
grooving1846
wave-mark1863
sand-scratch1871
chatter-mark1888
cross-colouring1901
wave-marking1903
1831 Jrnl. Royal Inst. Great Brit. 1 538 (title) On the ripple-marks and tracks of certain animals in the forest marble.
1876 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 2nd Ser. 243 The very ripple-marks on the remotest shores of being.
1888 Jrnl. Derbysh. Archaeol. Soc. 10 7 The ripple-marks, rain-pittings and footprints so well known in certain sandstones.
1918 W. Cather My Ántonia i. ix. 72 The snow was crusted in shallow terraces, with tracings like ripple-marks at the edges, curly waves that were the actual impression of the stinging lash in the wind.
1940 F. F. Grout Kemp's Handbk. Rocks (ed. 6) vii. 141 The interesting phenomena of beaches and stream bottoms, such as ripple marks, worm borings, mud cracks, and rain prints.
1993 R. Van der Elst Guide to Common Sea Fishes 352 It is adept at camouflage, for the darker crossbars marking its flanks blend with the ripple marks that..pattern the..sandy sea-bed.
Derivatives
ˈripple-marked adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > mark on feature or surface > [adjective]
ripple-marked1831
wave-marked1903
sand-blasted1908
1831 Jrnl. Royal Inst. Great Brit. 1 539 The only circumstance..which the ripple marked beds possess in common.
1894 Amer. Geologist 13 205 The bed of sand and pebbles was almost continuously strongly ripple-marked.
1920 C. T. Lupton in R. W. Stone et al. Gypsum Deposits U.S. 278 Sandstone and sandy shale, in places ripple marked.
1996 G. Goodland Littoral 4 Riptides & gales redress The soil's defalcation With ripplemarked blankets & arenaceous sheets.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1831