Molasse

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /məˈlas/

Origin

From French molasse, from Latin mollis.

Full definition of molasse

Noun

1. (geology) A shallow deposit of sandstone, shale and conglomerate in front of a rising mountain chain.
• 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 109:The molasse provides a record of the wearing down of the Alpine range at a late stage; unlike the Flysch, it is largely non-marine.----