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.
Word forms: plural penalties. 1. countable noun. A penalty is a punishment that someone is given for doing something which is against a law or rule. One of those arrested could face the death penalty. The maximum penalty is up to 7 years' imprisonment or an unlimited fine. Synonyms: punishment, price, fine, handicap More Synonyms of penalty.