molasse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Highly TechnicalFormal, Academic, Technical (Geology)
Quick answer
What does “molasse” mean?
A type of sedimentary rock, typically soft, grayish-green or brown, consisting of clay, shale, and sandstone, often associated with the erosion of mountain ranges.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of sedimentary rock, typically soft, grayish-green or brown, consisting of clay, shale, and sandstone, often associated with the erosion of mountain ranges.
In geology, the term refers specifically to the deposits of eroded material from rising mountains that accumulate in adjacent basins. In agricultural contexts (primarily Swiss), it can refer to a sweet, viscous by-product of sugar refining used as animal feed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in geological meaning. The agricultural usage for animal feed is predominantly Swiss and may be unfamiliar to English speakers outside specific European contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and descriptive. Carries no social or emotional connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Encountered almost solely in geological textbooks, academic papers, and regional European agricultural reports.
Grammar
How to Use “molasse” in a Sentence
[The/This] molasse [is/was/consists of] + [adjective/noun phrase] (e.g., The molasse is surprisingly soft.)[Geologists] + [study/describe/deposit] + molasse (e.g., They studied the molasse for clues about ancient mountains.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “molasse” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Alpine molasse provides a clear record of the erosion of the young mountains.
- Drilling through the molasse was easier than anticipated.
American English
- The North American foreland basin contains significant molasse deposits.
- This particular molasse is rich in feldspar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in geology, earth science, and physical geography departments to describe specific post-orogenic sedimentary sequences.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in geological surveys, petroleum exploration (as a reservoir rock), and academic literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “molasse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “molasse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “molasse”
- Misspelling as 'mollase' or 'molace'.
- Confusing it with 'molasses' (the edible syrup).
- Using it as a general term for any sandstone.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They share a Latin root ('mel' for honey) referring to a thick, viscous consistency, but 'molasses' is a thick sugar syrup, while 'molasse' is a type of sedimentary rock.
No. It is a highly technical term specific to geology and some European agricultural contexts. Using it in general conversation would cause confusion.
In foreland basins adjacent to major mountain ranges like the Alps, the Himalayas, or the Rocky Mountains, where eroded material from the mountains has been deposited.
Flysch is a sequence of deep-water marine sedimentary rocks deposited during the active phase of mountain building. Molasse is the younger, terrestrial or shallow-water sedimentary sequence deposited afterward, as the mountains erode.
A type of sedimentary rock, typically soft, grayish-green or brown, consisting of clay, shale, and sandstone, often associated with the erosion of mountain ranges.
Molasse is usually formal, academic, technical (geology) in register.
Molasse: in British English it is pronounced /məˈlæs/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is strictly technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a collapsing mountain range 'molasses-slowly' eroding and filling the basin next to it with soft rock—MOLASSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EARTH'S WASTE PRODUCT: Molasse is conceptualised as the debris or 'leftovers' from the massive geological event of mountain building.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'molasse'?