Origin of conglomerate

1565–75; < Latin conglomerātus (past participle of conglomerāre), equivalent to con- con- + glomer- (stem of glomus) ball of yarn + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM conglomerate

Example sentences from the Web for conglomerates

British Dictionary definitions for conglomerates

conglomerate

noun (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)

a thing composed of heterogeneous elements; mass
any coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of rounded fragments of rock embedded in a finer matrix Compare agglomerate (def. 3)
a large corporation consisting of a group of companies dealing in widely diversified goods, services, etc

verb (kənˈɡlɒməˌreɪt)

to form into a cluster or mass

adjective (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)

made up of heterogeneous elements; massed
(of sedimentary rocks) consisting of rounded fragments within a finer matrix

Word Origin for conglomerate

C16: from Latin conglomerāre to roll up, from glomerāre to wind into a ball, from glomus ball of thread

Medical definitions for conglomerates

conglomerate
[ kən-glŏmər-ĭt ]

adj.

Gathered or aggregated into a mass.

Other words from conglomerate

con•glom′er•ation (-ə-rāshən) n.

Scientific definitions for conglomerates

conglomerate
[ kən-glŏmə-rāt′ ]

A coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of round rock fragments cemented together by hardened silt, clay, calcium carbonate, or a similar material. The fragments (known as clasts) have a diameter of at least 2 mm (0.08 inches), vary in composition and origin, and may include pebbles, cobbles, boulders, or fossilized seashells. Conglomerates often form through the transportation and deposition of sediments by streams, alluvial fans, and glaciers.

Cultural definitions for conglomerates

conglomerate
[ (kuhn-glom-uhr-uht) ]

A corporation with diversified holdings that are acquired through mergers and acquisitions but that are not necessarily related.