debris

/dəˈbriː/ French Origin General

Original Word

débris

French

Entered English

18th century

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "debris"

From French 'débris', from Old French 'debrisier' (to break down). Originally a geological term for broken rock fragments. Now used broadly for scattered remains of anything destroyed.

Example Usage

"Rescue workers searched through the debris after the earthquake."

All French Loanwords Look Up in Dictionary

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