Galet

Galet is a French term that denotes a small, rounded stone or pebble, commonly found on beaches, riverbanks, or in gravel deposits. In geology and geomorphology, galets are the pebble-sized constituents of gravel; they are typically defined by a diameter roughly between 4 and 64 millimeters and are distinguished from larger cobbles and from sand and silt by their size and rounded shape, produced by abrasion and transport.

Aside from its geological sense, galet appears in French as a common noun and is used in various contexts to describe stones shaped by water and weathering. In English-language geology writing, the word may appear when translating French texts or when discussing field observations from Francophone regions.

Galet also exists as a surname and as part of place names in French-speaking regions. Individuals bearing the surname Galet may appear in historical records, genealogies, and contemporary contexts. Geographic naming often reflects local geology, with places named for their galets or pebble-strewn features.

Overall, galet primarily conveys the image of a small, smooth stone shaped by natural processes, while also functioning as a linguistic marker of French language and culture.