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ventifact

 - 3 dictionary results

ven⋅ti⋅fact

  [ven-tuh-fakt]
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–noun Geology.
a pebble or cobble that has been faceted, grooved, and polished by the erosive action of wind-driven sand.
Origin:
1910–15; < L venti- (comb. form of ventus wind 1 ) + factum something made (see fact ); perh. modeled on artifact
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ven·ti·fact   (věn'tə-fākt')   
n.  A stone that has been shaped, polished, or faceted by wind-driven sand.

[Latin ventus, wind; see vent1 + (arti)fact.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

ventifact

stone that has received one or more highly polished, flattened facets as a result of erosion by windblown sand. The facets are cut in sequence and correlate with the dominant wind direction. As one surface is cut, the stone may become out of balance and may turn to expose another surface to the wind. A ventifact that has been eroded to three curved facets is called a dreikanter. Ventifacts are produced under arid conditions and are generally formed from hard, fine-grained rocks such as obsidian, chert, or quartzite.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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