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/, adjectiveWords nearby laterite
Example sentences from the Web for lateritic
They are formed in the same way as the lateritic iron ores of Cuba, and from the same sort of rocks (pp. 171-173).
The Economic Aspect of Geology |C. K. LeithBauxite and lateritic iron ores, for instance, are known to favor tropical climates.
The Economic Aspect of Geology |C. K. LeithLateritic or highly aluminous clays, of a highly refractory character, but low plasticity.
The Natural History of Clay |Alfred B. Searle
British Dictionary definitions for lateritic
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), adjectiveWord Origin for laterite
C19: from Latin
later brick, tile
Scientific definitions for lateritic
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.