Deltaic
/dɛlˈteɪ.ɪk/noun
Relating to or shaped like a river delta.
Did you know?Deltaic comes from Greek delta, the letter Δ, because ancient observers saw a river delta as a branching shape—proof that even geography can be named like a symbol.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
δέλτα (délta)
“The name of the letter Δ, originally borrowed from the Phoenician letter name”
Classical Greek
Greek
δελτοειδής (deltoeidḗs)
“Shaped like a delta or triangle”
Late Latin
Latin
deltaicus
“Pertaining to a delta-shaped river mouth”
17th–18th Century
English
deltaic
“Relating to a river delta or delta formation”