The process by which sediment particles that have a certain characteristic, such as a given shape or grain size, are separated from other associated particles by an active agent of transportation, such as wind, a stream, or a glacier. A measure of the degree to which this process has occurred within a body of sediment.
punitive adjective. âº formal or specialized law âintended as a âpunishment: punitive âaction The UN has âimposed punitive âsanctions on the âinvading âcountry. She is âsuing the ânewspaper for $5 million punitive âdamages, âclaiming they âknew the âarticle about her was âuntrue.
Cruel and unusual punishments. 1  The essential predicate is that a punishment must not by its severity be degrading to human dignity, especially torture.  2 A severe punishment that is obviously inflicted in wholly arbitrary fashion..  3 A severe punishment that is clearly and totally rejected throughout society..