perlite

or pearl·ite

[ pur-lahyt ]
/ ˈpɜr laɪt /

noun Petrography.

a volcanic glass in which concentric fractures impart a distinctive structure resembling masses of small spheroids, used as a plant growth medium.

Origin of perlite

From French, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at pearl1, -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM perlite

per·lit·ic [pur-lit-ik] /pɜrˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for perlite

British Dictionary definitions for perlite

perlite

pearlite

/ (ˈpɜːlaɪt) /

noun

a variety of obsidian consisting of masses of small pearly globules: used as a filler, insulator, and soil conditioner

Derived forms of perlite

perlitic or pearlitic (pɜːˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for perlite

C19: from French, from perle pearl 1