Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detritus \De*tri"tus\, n. [F. d['e]tritus, fr. L. detritus, p.
   p. of deterere. See {Detriment}.]
   1. (Geol.) A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by
      attrition, and reduced to small portions; as, diluvial
      detritus.

   Note: For large portions, the word d['e]bris 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.                             --Farrar.

Source : WordNet®

detritus
     n 1: the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken
          up [syn: {debris}, {dust}, {junk}, {rubble}]
     2: loose material (stone fragments and silt etc) that is worn
        away from rocks