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sand
Definition
Sand is a loose, granular material made up of small pieces of rock and minerals. It is found in beaches, deserts, and riverbeds.
Sand is made when rocks are broken down by wind, water, or ice. The rocks are broken into smaller and smaller pieces until they are the size of sand.
Sand is different from gravel, which is made up of larger pieces of rock. Sand is also different from silt, which is made up of even smaller pieces of rock.
Sand can be different colours depending on the minerals that it is made from. For example, beach sand is often white or yellow because it is made from quartz. Desert sand can be red or orange because it is made from sand dunes.
Sand is used in a variety of applications, including:
- Construction: Sand is used in concrete, mortar, and bricks.
- Glassmaking: Sand is used to make glass.
- Water filtration: Sand is used to filter water.
- Art: Sand is used to make sculptures and paintings.
- Playgrounds: Sand is used in playgrounds for children to play in.
How can the word be used?
The child built a sandcastle.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- loose grains of rock and minerals, typically quartz, forming a loose granular mass.
Verb:
- to sprinkle or cover with sand.
Etymology
The word "sand" comes from the Old English word "sand", which also means "loose grains of rock and minerals".
The first recorded use of the word "sand" in English was in the 8th century.
The word "sand" is an Old English word, and it is related to the Old Frisian word "san", the Old Saxon word "san", and the Old Norse word "sandr".
Question
What is sand?