Detritus
Detritus , noun
[French détritus, from Latin detritus, past participle of deterere. See Detriment.]
1.
(Geology) A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by attrition, and reduced to small portions; as, diluvial detritus.
For large portions, the word débris is used.
2.
Hence: Any fragments separated from the body to which they belonged; any product of disintegration.
The mass of detritus of which modern languages are composed.