laterite

[ lat-uh-rahyt ]
/ ˈlæt əˌraɪt /

noun Geology.

a reddish ferruginous soil formed in tropical regions by the decomposition of the underlying rocks.
a similar soil formed of materials deposited by water.
any soil produced by the decomposition of the rocks beneath it.

Origin of laterite

1800–10; < Latin later brick, tile + -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM laterite

lat·er·it·ic [lat-uh-rit-ik] /ˌlæt əˈrɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby laterite

lateralization, lateran, lateran council, lateran palace, laterigrade, laterite, lateritious, laterization, latero-, laterodeviation, lateroduction

Example sentences from the Web for laterite

British Dictionary definitions for laterite

laterite
/ (ˈlætəˌraɪt) /

noun

any of a group of deposits consisting of residual insoluble deposits of ferric and aluminium oxides: formed by weathering of rocks in tropical regions

Derived forms of laterite

lateritic (ˌlætəˈrɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for laterite

C19: from Latin later brick, tile

Scientific definitions for laterite

laterite
[ lăt′ə-rīt′ ]

A red, porous, claylike soil formed by the leaching of silica-rich components and enrichment of aluminum and iron hydroxides. They are especially common in humid climates. Laterites that are poor in iron oxides and rich in aluminum oxides are called bauxites. Also called latosol See more at bauxite.