ˈles, ˈləs, ˈlōˌes noun
also löss ˈles, ˈləs
( -es )
Etymology: German löss, alteration of lösch, from German dialect (Switzerland) lösch, adjective, loose; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less
: an unstratified deposit of loam that ranges to clay at the one extreme and to fine sand at the other, is usually of a buff or yellowish brown color, covers extensive areas in No. America, Europe, and Asia, is now generally believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind, is usually calcareous, often contains shells, bones, and teeth of mammals as well as concretions of calcium carbonate and occasionally of iron oxide, and makes an excellent soil where adequately watered